Hybrid maize plant and seed 39H84

ABSTRACT

According to the invention, there is provided a hybrid maize plant, designated as 39H64, produced by crossing two Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize lines. This invention relates to the hybrid seed 39H84, the hybrid plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and trivial modifications of hybrid 39H84. This invention also relates to methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic maize plants produced by that method. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize lines derived from hybrid maize line 39H84 and to the maize lines derived by the use of those methods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of the priority date of U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/353,901 filed Jan. 30, 2002, which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of maize breeding, specifically relatingto hybrid maize designated 39H84.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Plant Breeding

The goal of plant breeding is to combine in a single variety or hybridvarious desirable traits. For field crops, these traits may includeresistance to diseases and insects, tolerance to heat and drought,reducing the time to crop maturity, greater yield, and better agronomicquality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plantcharacteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growthrate, maturity, and plant and ear height is important.

Field crops are bred through techniques that take advantage of theplant's method of pollination. A plant is self-pollinated if pollen fromone flower is transferred to the same or another flower of the sameplant. A plant is sib pollinated when individuals within the same familyor line are used for pollination. A plant is cross-pollinated if thepollen comes from a flower on a different plant from a different familyor line. The term “cross pollination” and “out-cross as used herein donot include self pollination or sib pollination.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type for manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny. A cross between twodifferent homozygous lines produces a uniform population of hybridplants that may be heterozygous for many gene loci. A cross of twoplants each heterozygous at a number of gene loci will produce apopulation of heterogeneous plants that differ genetically and will notbe uniform.

Maize (Zea mays L.), often referred to as corn in the United States, canbe bred by both self-pollination and cross-pollination techniques. Maizehas separate male and female flowers on the same plant, located on thetassel and the ear, respectively. Natural pollination occurs in maizewhen wind blows pollen from the tassels to the silks that protrude fromthe tops of the ears.

The development of a hybrid maize variety in a maize plant breedingprogram involves three steps: (1) the selection of plants from variousgermplasm pools for initial breeding crosses; (2) the selfing of theselected plants from the breeding crosses for several generations toproduce a series of inbred lines, which, individually breed true and arehighly uniform; and (3) crossing a selected inbred line with anunrelated inbred line to produce the hybrid progeny (F1). After asufficient amount of inbreeding successive filial generations willmerely serve to increase seed of the developed inbred. Preferably, aninbred line should comprise homozygous alleles at about 95% or more ofits loci.

During the inbreeding process in maize, the vigor of the linesdecreases. Vigor is restored when two different inbred lines are crossedto produce the hybrid progeny (F1). An important consequence of thehomozygosity and homogeneity of the inbred lines is that the hybridcreated by crossing a defined pair of inbreds will always be the same.Once the inbreds that create a superior hybrid have been identified, acontinual supply of the hybrid seed can be produced using these inbredparents and the hybrid corn plants can then be generated from thishybrid seed supply.

Large scale commercial maize hybrid production, as it is practicedtoday, requires the use of some form of male sterility system whichcontrols or inactivates male fertility. A reliable method of controllingmale fertility in plants also offers the opportunity for improved plantbreeding. This is especially true for development of maize hybrids,which relies upon some sort of male sterility system. There are severalways in which a maize plant can be manipulated so that is male sterile.These include use of manual or mechanical emasculation (or detasseling),cytoplasmic genetic male sterility, nuclear genetic male sterility,gametocides and the like.

Hybrid maize seed is often produced by a male sterility systemincorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate strips of twoinbred varieties of maize are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearingtassels are removed from one of the inbreds (female) prior to pollenshed. Providing that there is sufficient isolation from sources offoreign maize pollen, the ears of the detasseled inbred will befertilized only from the other inbred (male), and the resulting seed istherefore hybrid and will form hybrid plants.

The laborious detasseling process can be avoided by using cytoplasmicmale-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMS inbred are male sterile as aresult of factors resulting from the cytoplasmic, as opposed to thenuclear, genome. Thus, this characteristic is inherited exclusivelythrough the female parent in maize plants, since only the femaleprovides cytoplasm to the fertilized seed. CMS plants are fertilizedwith pollen from another inbred that is not male-sterile. Pollen fromthe second inbred may or may not contribute genes that make the hybridplants male-fertile. The same hybrid seed, a portion produced fromdetasseled fertile maize and a portion produced using the CMS system canbe blended to insure that adequate pollen loads are available forfertilization when the hybrid plants are grown.

There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterilityavailable, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations withinthe genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. and chromosomal translocations asdescribed by Patterson in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,709 and 3,710,511. Theseand all patents referred to are incorporated by reference. In additionto these methods, Albertsen et al., of Pioneer Hi-Bred, U.S. Pat. No.5,432,068, have developed a system of nuclear male sterility whichincludes: identifying a gene which is critical to male fertility;silencing this native gene which is critical to male fertility; removingthe native promoter from the essential male fertility gene and replacingit with an inducible promoter; inserting this genetically engineeredgene back into the plant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterilebecause the inducible promoter is not “on” resulting in the malefertility gene not being transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing,or turning “on”, the promoter, which in turn allows the gene thatconfers male fertility to be transcribed.

There are many other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in theart, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. These methods use avariety of approaches such as delivering into the plant a gene encodinga cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specific promoter oran antisense system in which a gene critical to fertility is identifiedand an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (see:Fabinjanski, et al. EPO 89/3010153.8 publication no. 329,308 and PCTapplication PCT/CA90/00037 published as WO 90/08828).

Another system useful in controlling male sterility makes use ofgametocides. Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topicalapplication of chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are criticalto male fertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertilityin the plants only for the growing season in which the gametocide isapplied (see Carlson, Glenn R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904). Application ofthe gametocide, timing of the application and genotype specificity oftenlimit the usefulness of the approach and it is not appropriate in allsituations.

The use of male sterile inbreds is but one factor in the production ofmaize hybrids. The development of maize hybrids in a maize plantbreeding program requires, in general, the development of homozygousinbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluation of thecrosses. Maize plant breeding programs combine the genetic backgroundsfrom two or more inbred lines or various other germplasm sources intobreeding populations from which new inbred lines are developed byselfing and selection of desired phenotypes. Hybrids also can be used asa source of plant breeding material or as source populations from whichto develop or derive new maize lines. Plant breeding techniques known inthe art and used in a maize plant breeding program include, but are notlimited to, recurrent selection, backcrossing, double haploids, pedigreebreeding, restriction fragment length polymorphism enhanced selection,genetic marker enhanced selection, and transformation. Often acombination of these techniques are used. The inbred lines derived fromhybrids can be developed using plant breeding techniques as describedabove. New inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybridsfrom these crosses are evaluated to determine which of those havecommercial potential.

Backcrossing can be used to improve inbred lines and a hybrid which ismade using those inbreds. Backcrossing can be used to transfer aspecific desirable trait from one line, the donor parent, to an inbredcalled the recurrent parent which has overall good agronomiccharacteristics yet that lacks the desirable trait. This transfer of thedesirable trait into an inbred with overall good agronomiccharacteristics can be accomplished by first crossing a recurrent parentto a donor parent (non-recurrent parent). The progeny of this cross isthen mated back to the recurrent parent followed by selection in theresultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. Typically after four or more backcross generationswith selection for the desired trait, the progeny will containessentially all genes of the recurrent parent except for the genescontrolling the desired trait. But the number of backcross generationscan be less if molecular markers are used during the selection or elitegermplasm is used as the donor parent. The last backcross generation isthen selfed to give pure breeding progeny for the gene(s) beingtransferred.

Backcrossing can also be used in conjunction with pedigree breeding todevelop new inbred lines. For example, an F1 can be created that isbackcrossed to one of its parent lines to create a BC1. Progeny areselfed and selected so that the newly developed inbred has many of theattributes of the recurrent parent and some of the desired attributes ofthe non-recurrent parent.

Recurrent selection is a method used in a plant breeding program toimprove a population of plants. The method entails individual plantscross pollinating with each other to form progeny which are then grown.The superior progeny are then selected by any number of methods, whichinclude individual plant, half sib progeny, full sib progeny, selfedprogeny and topcrossing. The selected progeny are cross pollinated witheach other to form progeny for another population. This population isplanted and again superior plants are selected to cross pollinate witheach other. Recurrent selection is a cyclical process and therefore canbe repeated as many times as desired. The objective of recurrentselection is to improve the traits of a population. The improvedpopulation can then be used as a source of breeding material to obtaininbred lines to be used in hybrids or used as parents for a syntheticcultivar. A synthetic cultivar is the resultant progeny formed by theintercrossing of several selected inbreds. Mass selection is a usefultechnique when used in conjunction with molecular marker enhancedselection.

Molecular markers including techniques such as Isozyme Electrophoresis,Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms(AFLPs), Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Simple SequenceRepeats (SSRs) may be used in plant breeding methods. One use ofmolecular markers is Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping. QTL mappingis the use of markers, which are closely linked to alleles that havemeasurable effects on a quantitative trait. Selection in the breedingprocess is based upon the accumulation of markers linked to the positiveeffecting alleles and/or the elimination of the markers linked to thenegative effecting alleles from the plant's genome.

Molecular markers can also be used during the breeding process for theselection of qualitative traits. For example, markers closely linked toalleles or markers containing sequences within the actual alleles ofinterest can be used to select plants that contain the alleles ofinterest during a backcrossing breeding program. The markers can also beused to select for the genome of the recurrent parent and against themarkers of the donor parent. Using this procedure can minimize theamount of genome from the donor parent that remains in the selectedplants. It can also be used to reduce the number of crosses back to therecurrent parent needed in a backcrossing program. The use of molecularmarkers in the selection process is often called Genetic Marker EnhancedSelection.

The production of double haploids can also be used for the developmentof inbreds in a breeding program. Double haploids are produced by thedoubling of a set of chromosomes (1N) from a heterozygous plant toproduce a completely homozygous individual. For example, see Wan et al.,“Efficient Production of Doubled Haploid Plants Through ColchicineTreatment of Anther-Derived Maize Callus”, Theoretical and AppliedGenetics, 77:889-892, 1989 This can be advantageous because the processcan eliminate the generations of selfing needed to obtain a homozygousplant from a heterozygous source.

Hybrid seed production requires elimination or inactivation of pollenproduced by the female parent. Incomplete removal or inactivation of thepollen provides the potential for self-pollination. This inadvertentlyself-pollinated seed may be unintentionally harvested and packaged withhybrid seed. Also, because the male parent is grown next to the femaleparent in the field there is the very low probability that the maleselfed seed could be unintentionally harvested and packaged with thehybrid seed. Once the seed from the hybrid bag is planted, it ispossible to identify and select these self-pollinated plants. Theseself-pollinated plants will be genetically equivalent to one of theinbred lines used to produce the hybrid. Though the possibility ofinbreds being included hybrid seed bags exists, the occurrence is verylow because much care is taken to avoid such inclusions. It is worthnoting that hybrid seed is sold to growers for the production of grainand forage and not for breeding or seed production.

By an individual skilled in plant breeding, these inbred plantsunintentionally included in commercial hybrid seed can be identified andselected due to their decreased vigor when compared to the hybrid.Inbreds are identified by their less vigorous appearance for vegetativeand/or reproductive characteristics, including shorter plant height,small ear size, ear and kernel shape, cob color, or othercharacteristics.

Identification of these self-pollinated lines can also be accomplishedthrough molecular marker analyses. See, “The Identification of FemaleSelfs in Hybrid Maize: A Comparison Using Electrophoresis andMorphology”, Smith, J. S. C. and Wych, R. D., Seed Science andTechnology 14, pp. 1-8 (1995), the disclosure of which is expresslyincorporated herein by reference. Through these technologies, thehomozygosity of the self pollinated line can be verified by analyzingallelic composition at various loci along the genome. Those methodsallow for rapid identification of the invention disclosed herein. Seealso, “Identification of Atypical Plants in Hybrid Maize Seed byPostcontrol and Electrophoresis” Sarca, V. et al., Probleme de GeneticaTeoritica si Aplicata Vol. 20 (1) p. 29-42.

Another form of commercial hybrid production involves the use of amixture of male sterile hybrid seed and male pollinator seed. Whenplanted, the resulting male sterile hybrid plants are pollinated by thepollinator plants. This method is primarily used to produce grain withenhanced quality grain traits, such as high oil, because desired qualitygrain traits expressed in the pollinator will also be expressed in thegrain produced on the male sterile hybrid plant. In this method thedesired quality grain trait does not have to be incorporated by lengthyprocedures such as recurrent backcross selection into an inbred parentline. One use of this method is described U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,704,160 and5,706,603.

There are many important factors to be considered in the art of plantbreeding, such as the ability to recognize important morphological andphysiological characteristics, the ability to design evaluationtechniques for genotypic and phenotypic traits of interest, and theability to search out and exploit the genes for the desired traits innew or improved combinations.

The objective of commercial maize hybrid line development resulting froma maize plant breeding program is to develop new inbred lines to producehybrids that combine to produce high grain yields and superior agronomicperformance. One of the primary traits breeders seek is yield. However,many other major agronomic traits are of importance in hybridcombination and have an impact on yield or otherwise provide superiorperformance in hybrid combinations. Such traits include percent grainmoisture at harvest, relative maturity, resistance to stalk breakage,resistance to root lodging, grain quality, and disease and insectresistance. In addition, the lines per se must have acceptableperformance for parental traits such as seed yields, kernel sizes,pollen production, all of which affect ability to provide parental linesin sufficient quantity and quality for hybridization. These traits havebeen shown to be under genetic control and many if not all of the traitsare affected by multiple genes.

Pedigree Breeding

The pedigree method of breeding is the mostly widely used methodologyfor new hybrid line development.

In general terms this procedure consists of crossing two inbred lines toproduce the non-segregating F1 generation, and self pollination of theF1 generation to produce the F2 generation that segregates for allfactors for which the inbred parents differ. An example of this processis set forth below. Variations of this generalized pedigree method areused, but all these variations produce a segregating generation whichcontains a range of variation for the traits of interest.

EXAMPLE 1 Hypothetical Example of Pedigree Breeding Program

Consider a cross between two inbred lines that differ for alleles at sixloci. The parental genotypes are:

-   -   Parent1 A b C d e F/A b C d e F    -   Parent2 a B c D E f/a B c D E f        the F1 from a cross between these two parents is:    -   F1 A b C d e F/a B c D E f        Selfing F1 will produce an F2 generation including the following        genotypes:    -   A B c D E f/a b C d e F    -   A B c D e f/a b C d E F    -   A B c D e f/a b C d e F

The number of genotypes in the F2 is 3⁶ for six segregating loci (729)and will produce (2⁶)−2 possible new inbreds, (62 for six segregatingloci).

Each inbred parent which is used in breeding crosses represents a uniquecombination of genes, and the combined effects of the genes define theperformance of the inbred and its performance in hybrid combination.There is published evidence (Smith, O. S., J. S. C. Smith, S. L. Bowen,R. A. Tenborg and S. J. Wall, TAG 80:833-840 (1990)) that each of thelines are different and can be uniquely identified on the basis ofgenetically-controlled molecular markers.

It has been shown (Hallauer, Arnel R. and Miranda, J. B. Fo.Quantitative Genetics in Maize Breeding, Iowa State University Press,Ames Iowa, 1981) that most traits of economic value in maize are underthe genetic control of multiple genetic loci, and that there are a largenumber of unique combinations of these genes present in elite maizegermplasm. If not, genetic progress using elite inbred lines would nolonger be possible. Studies by Duvick and Russell (Duvick, D. N.,Maydica 37:69-79, (1992); Russell, W. A., Maydica XXIX:375-390 (1983))have shown that over the last 50 years the rate of genetic progress incommercial hybrids has been between one and two percent per year.

The number of genes affecting the trait of primary economic importancein maize, grain yield, has been estimated to be in the range of 10-1000.Inbred lines which are used as parents for breeding crosses differ inthe number and combination of these genes. These factors make the plantbreeder's task more difficult. Compounding this is evidence that no oneline contains the favorable allele at all loci, and that differentalleles have different economic values depending on the geneticbackground and field environment in which the hybrid is grown. Fiftyyears of breeding experience suggests that there are many genesaffecting grain yield and each of these has a relatively small effect onthis trait. The effects are small compared to breeders' ability tomeasure grain yield differences in evaluation trials. Therefore, theparents of the breeding cross must differ at several of these loci sothat the genetic differences in the progeny will be large enough thatbreeders can develop a line that increases the economic worth of itshybrids over that of hybrids made with either parent.

If the number of loci segregating in a cross between two inbred lines isn, the number of unique genotypes in the F2 generation is 3^(n) and thenumber of unique inbred lines from this cross is {(2^(n))−2}. Only avery limited number of these combinations is commercially useful.

By way of example, if it is assumed that the number of segregating lociin F2 is somewhere between 20 and 50, and that each parent is fixed forhalf the favorable alleles, it is then possible to calculate theapproximate probabilities of finding an inbred that has the favorableallele at {(n/2)+m} loci, where n/2 is the number of favorable allelesin each of the parents and m is the number of additional favorablealleles in the new inbred. See Example 2 below. The number m is assumedto be greater than three because each allele has so small an effect thatevaluation techniques are not sensitive enough to detect differences dueto three or less favourable alleles. The probabilities in Example 2 areon the order of 10⁻⁵ or smaller and they are the probabilities that atleast one genotype with (n/2)=m favorable alleles will exist.

To put this in perspective, the number of plants grown on 60 millionacres (approximate United States corn acreage) at 25,000 plants/acre is1.5×10¹².

EXAMPLE 2 Probability of Finding an Inbred with m of n Favorable Alleles

Assume each parent has n/2 of the favorable alleles and only ½ of thecombinations of loci are economically useful.

No. additional No. of No. of favorable favorable Probability thatsegregating loci alleles in Parents alleles in new genotype (n) (n/2)inbred occurs* 20 10 14 3 × 10⁻⁵ 24 12 16 2 × 10⁻⁵ 28 14 18 1 × 10⁻⁵ 3216 20 8 × 10⁻⁶ 36 18 22 5 × 10⁻⁶ 40 20 24 3 × 10⁻⁶ 44 22 26 2 × 10⁻⁶ 4824 28 1 × 10⁻⁶ *Probability that a useful combination exists, does notinclude the probability of identifying this combination if it doesexist.

The possibility of having a usably high probability of being able toidentify this genotype based on replicated field testing would be mostlikely smaller than this, and is a function of how large a population ofgenotypes is tested and how testing resources are allocated in thetesting program.

A breeder uses various methods to help determine which plants should beselected from the segregating populations and ultimately which inbredlines will be used to develop hybrids for commercialization. In additionto the knowledge of the germplasm and other skills the breeder uses, apart of the selection process is dependent on experimental designcoupled with the use of statistical analysis. Experimental design andstatistical analysis are used to help determine which plants, whichfamily of plants, and finally which inbred lines and hybrid combinationsare significantly better or different for one or more traits ofinterest. Experimental design methods are used to asses error so thatdifferences between two inbred lines or two hybrid lines can be moreaccurately determined. Statistical analysis includes the calculation ofmean values, determination of the statistical significance of thesources of variation, and the calculation of the appropriate variancecomponents. Either a five or one percent significance level iscustomarily used to determine whether a difference that occurs for agiven trait is real or due to the environment or experimental error. Oneof ordinary skill in the art of plant breeding would know how toevaluate the traits of two plant varieties to determine if there is nosignificant difference between the two traits expressed by thosevarieties. For example, see Fehr, Walt, Principles of CultivarDevelopment, p. 261-286 (1987) which is incorporated herein byreference. Mean trait values may be used to determine whether traitdifferences are significant, and preferably the traits are measured onplants grown under the same environmental conditions. Combining abilityof a line, as well as the performance of the line per se, is a factor inthe selection of improved maize inbreds. Combining ability refers to aline's contribution as a parent when crossed with other lines to formhybrids. The hybrids formed for the purpose of selecting superior linesare designated test crosses. One way of measuring combining ability isby using breeding values. Breeding values are based in part on theoverall mean of a number of test crosses. This mean is then adjusted toremove environmental effects and it is adjusted for known geneticrelationships among the lines.

Once such a line is developed its value to society is substantial sinceit is important to advance the germplasm base as a whole in order tomaintain or improve traits such as yield, disease resistance, pestresistance and plant performance in extreme weather conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a hybrid maize plant,designated as 39H84, produced by crossing two Pioneer Hi-BredInternational, Inc. proprietary inbred maize lines GE500811 andGE570777. These lines, deposited with the American Type CultureCollection, (ATCC), Manassas, Va. 20110, have Accession Number PTA-5528for GE500811 and accession number PTA-5509 for GE570777. This inventionthus relates to the hybrid seed 39H84, the hybrid plant and its partsproduced from the seed, and variants, mutants and trivial modificationsof hybrid 39H84. This invention also relates to methods for producing amaize plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenesand to the transgenic maize plants and their parts produced by thatmethod. This invention further relates to methods for producing maizelines derived from hybrid maize line 39H84 and to the maize linesderived by the use of those methods. This hybrid maize plant ischaracterized by excellent yield potential for its maturity with gooddry down.

Definitions

Certain definitions used in the specification are provided below. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, including the scope to be given such terms,the following definitions are provided. NOTE: ABS is in absolute termsand % MN is percent of the mean for the experiments in which the inbredor hybrid was grown. PCT designates that the trait is calculated as apercentage. % NOT designates the percentage of plants that did notexhibit trait. For example, STKLDG % NOT is the percentage of plants ina plot that were not stalk lodged. These designators will follow thedescriptors to denote how the values are to be interpreted. Below arethe descriptors used in the data tables included herein.

-   -   ABTSTK=ARTIFICIAL BRITTLE STALK. A count of the number of        “snapped” plants per plot following machine snapping. A snapped        plant has its stalk completely snapped at a node between the        base of the plant and the node above the ear. Expressed as        percent of plants that did not snap.    -   ADF=PERCENT ACID DETERGENT FIBER. The percent of dry matter that        is acid detergent fiber in chopped whole plant forage.    -   ALLELE. Any of one or more alternative forms of a genetic        sequence. In a diploid cell or organism, the two alleles of a        given sequence occupy corresponding loci on a pair of homologous        chromosomes.    -   ANT ROT=ANTHRACNOSE STALK ROT (Colletotrichum graminicola). A 1        to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Anthracnose        Stalk Rot. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.    -   BACKCROSSING. Process in which a breeder crosses a progeny line        back to one of the parental genotypes one or more times.    -   BARPLT=BARREN PLANTS. The percent of plants per plot that were        not barren (lack ears).    -   BREEDING=The genetic manipulation of living organisms.    -   BRTSTK=BRITTLE STALKS. This is a measure of the stalk breakage        near the time of pollination, and is an indication of whether a        hybrid or inbred would snap or break near the time of flowering        under severe winds. Data are presented as percentage of plants        that did not snap.    -   CLDTST=COLD TEST. The percent of plants that germinate under        cold test conditions    -   CLN=CORN LETHAL NECROSIS (synergistic interaction of maize        chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) in combination with either maize        dwarf mosaic virus (MDMV-A or MDMV-B) or wheat streak mosaic        virus (WSMV)). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance        to Corn Lethal Necrosis. A higher score indicates a higher        resistance.    -   COM RST=COMMON RUST (Puccinia sorghi). A 1 to 9 visual rating        indicating the resistance to Common Rust. A higher score        indicates a higher resistance.    -   CP=PERCENT OF CRUDE PROTEIN. The percent of dry matter that is        crude protein in chopped whole plant forage.    -   D/D=DRYDOWN. This represents the relative rate at which a hybrid        will reach acceptable harvest moisture compared to other hybrids        on a 1-9 rating scale. A high score indicates a hybrid that        dries relatively fast while a low score indicates a hybrid that        dries slowly.    -   DIPERS=DIPLODIA EAR MOLD SCORES (Diplodia maydis and Diplodia        macrospora). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to        Diplodia Ear Mold. A higher score indicates a higher resistance.    -   DIPROT=DIPLODIA STALK ROT SCORE. Score of stalk rot severity due        to Diplodia (Diplodia maydis). Expressed as a 1 to 9 score with        9 being highly resistant.    -   DM=PERCENT OF DRY MATTER. The percent of dry material in chopped        whole plant silage.    -   DRPEAR=DROPPED EARS. A measure of the number of dropped ears per        plot and represents the percentage of plants that did not drop        ears prior to harvest.    -   DIT=DROUGHT TOLERANCE. This represents a 1-9 rating for drought        tolerance, and is based on data obtained under stress        conditions. A high score indicates good drought tolerance and a        low score indicates poor drought tolerance.    -   EARHT=EAR HEIGHT. The ear height is a measure from the ground to        the highest placed developed ear node attachment and is measured        in centimeters.    -   EARMLD=General Ear Mold. Visual rating (1-9 score) where a “1”        is very susceptible and a “9” is very resistant. This is based        on overall rating for ear mold of mature ears without        determining the specific mold organism, and may not be        predictive for a specific ear mold.    -   EARSZ=EAR SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating of ear size. The higher        the rating the larger the ear size.    -   EBTSTK=EARLY BRITTLE STALK. A count of the number of “snapped”        plants per plot following severe winds when the corn plant is        experiencing very rapid vegetative growth in the V5-V8 stage.        Expressed as percent of plants that did not snap.    -   ECB1LF=EUROPEAN CORN BORER FIRST GENERATION LEAF FEEDING        (Ostrinia nubilalis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the        resistance to preflowering leaf feeding by first generation        European Corn Borer. A higher score indicates a higher        resistance.    -   ECB2IT=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION INCHES OF TUNNELING        (Ostrinia nubilalis). Average inches of tunneling per plant in        the stalk.    -   ECB2SC=EUROPEAN CORN BORER SECOND GENERATION (Ostrinia        nubilalis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating post flowering        degree of stalk breakage and other evidence of feeding by        European Corn Borer, Second Generation. A higher score indicates        a higher resistance.    -   ECBDPE=EUROPEAN CORN BORER DROPPED EARS (Ostrinia nubilalis).        Dropped ears due to European Corn Borer. Percentage of plants        that did not drop ears under second generation corn borer        infestation.    -   EGRWTH=EARLY GROWTH. The relative height and size of a corn        seedling at the 2-4 leaf stage of growth. This is a visual        rating (1 to 9), with 1 being weak or slow growth, 5 being        average growth and 9 being strong growth. Taller plants, wider        leaves, more green mass and darker color constitute higher        scores.    -   ELITE INBRED=An inbred that contributed desirable qualities when        used to produce commercial hybrids. An elite inbred may also be        used in further breeding.    -   ERTLDG=EARLY ROOT LODGING. Early root lodging is the percentage        of plants that do not root lodge prior to or around anthesis;        plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30°        angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.    -   ERTLPN=Early root lodging is an estimate of the percentage of        plants that do not root lodge prior to or around anthesis;        plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30°        angle or greater would be considered as root lodged.    -   ERTLSC=EARLY ROOT LODGING SCORE. Score for severity of plants        that lean from a vertical axis at an approximate 30 degree angle        or greater which typically results from strong winds prior to or        around flowering recorded within 2 weeks of a wind event.        Expressed as a 1 to 9 score with 9 being no lodging.    -   ESTCNT=EARLY STAND COUNT. This is a measure of the stand        establishment in the spring and represents the number of plants        that emerge on per plot basis for the inbred or hybrid.    -   EYESPT=Eye Spot (Kabatiella zeae or Aureobasidium zeae). A 1 to        9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Eye Spot. A higher        score indicates a higher resistance.    -   FUSERS=FUSARIUM EAR ROT SCORE (Fusarium moniliforme or Fusarium        subglutinans). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance        to Fusarium ear rot. A higher score indicates a higher        resistance.    -   GDU=Growing Degree Units. Using the Barger Heat Unit Theory,        that assumes that maize growth occurs in the temperature range        50° F.-86° F. and that temperatures outside this range slow down        growth; the maximum daily heat unit accumulation is 36 and the        minimum daily heat unit accumulation is 0. The seasonal        accumulation of GDU is a major factor in determining maturity        zones.    -   GDUSHD=GDU TO SHED. The number of growing degree units (GDUs) or        heat units required for an inbred line or hybrid to have        approximately 50 percent of the plants shedding pollen and is        measured from the time of planting. Growing degree units are        calculated by the Barger Method, where the heat units for a        24-hour period are:        ${GDU} = {\frac{( {{Max}.\quad{temp}.{+ {{Min}.\quad{temp}.}}} )}{2} - 50}$    -   The highest maximum temperature used is 86° F. and the lowest        minimum temperature used is 50° F. For each inbred or hybrid it        takes a certain number of GDUs to reach various stages of plant        development.    -   GDUSLK=GDU TO SILK. The number of growing degree units required        for an inbred line or hybrid to have approximately 50 percent of        the plants with silk emergence from time of planting. Growing        degree units are calculated by the Barger Method as given in GDU        SHD definition.        -   GENOTYPE. Refers to the genetic constitution of a cell or            organism.    -   GIBERS=GIBBERELLA EAR ROT (PINK MOLD) (Gibberella zeae). A 1 to        9 visual rating indicating the resistance to Gibberella Ear Rot.        A higher score indicates a higher resistance.    -   GIBROT=GIBBERELLA STALK ROT SCORE. Score of stalk rot severity        due to Gibberella (Gibberella zeae). Expressed as a 1 to 9 score        with 9 being highly resistant.    -   GLFSPT=Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis). A 1 to 9 visual        rating indicating the resistance to Gray Leaf Spot. A higher        score indicates a higher resistance.    -   GOSWLT=Goss' Wilt (Corynebacterium nebraskense). A 1 to 9 visual        rating indicating the resistance to Goss' Wilt. A higher score        indicates a higher resistance.    -   GRNAPP=GRAIN APPEARANCE. This is a 1 to 9 rating for the general        appearance of the shelled grain as it is harvested based on such        factors as the color of harvested grain, any mold on the grain,        and any cracked grain. High scores indicate good grain quality.    -   H/POP=YIELD AT HIGH DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively high        plant densities on 1-9 relative rating system with a higher        number indicating the hybrid responds well to high plant        densities for yield relative to other hybrids. A 1, 5, and 9        would represent very poor, average, and very good yield        response, respectively, to increased plant density.    -   HCBLT=HELMINTHOSPORIUM CARBONUM LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium        carbonum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the resistance to        Helminthosporium infection. A higher score indicates a higher        resistance.    -   HD SMT=Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana). This score indicates        the percentage of plants not infected.    -   HSKCVR−HUSK COVER. A 1 to 9 score based upon performance        relative to key checks, with a score of 1 indicating very short        husks, tip of ear and kernels showing; 5 is intermediate        coverage of the ear under most conditions, sometimes with thin        husk; and a 9 has husks extending and closed beyond the tip of        the ear. Scoring can best be done near physiological maturity        stage or any time during dry down until harvested.    -   KSZDCD=KERNEL SIZE DISCARD. The percent of discard seed;        calculated as the sum of discarded tip kernels and extra large        kernels.    -   LINKAGE. Refers to a phenomenon wherein alleles on the same        chromosome tend to segregate together more often than expected        by chance if their transmission was independent.    -   LINKAGE DISEQUILIBRIUM. Refers to a phenomenon wherein alleles        tend to remain together in linkage groups when segregating from        parents to offspring, with a greater frequency than expected        from their individual frequencies.    -   L/POP=YIELD AT LOW DENSITY. Yield ability at relatively low        plant densities on a 1-9 relative system with a higher number        indicating the hybrid responds well to low plant densities for        yield relative to other hybrids. A 1,5, and 9 would represent        very poor, average, and very good yield response, respectively,        to low plant density.    -   LRTLDG=LATE ROOT LODGING. Late root lodging is the percentage of        plants that do not root lodge after anthesis through harvest;        plants that lean from the vertical axis at an approximately 30°        angle or greater would be counted as root lodged.    -   LRTLPN=LATE ROOT LODGING. Late root lodging is an estimate of        the percentage of plants that do not root lodge after anthesis        through harvest; plants that lean from the vertical axis at an        approximately 30° angle or greater would be considered as root        lodged.    -   LRTLSC=LATE ROOT LODGING SCORE. Score for severity of plants        that lean from a vertical axis at an approximate 30 degree angle        or greater which typically results from strong winds after        flowering. Recorded prior to harvest when a root-lodging event        has occurred. This lodging results in plants that are leaned or        “lodged” over at the base of the plant and do not straighten or        “goose-neck” back to a vertical position. Expressed as a 1 to 9        score with 9 being no lodging.    -   MDMCPX=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex (MDMV=Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus        and MCDV=Maize Chlorotic Dwarf Virus). A 1 to 9 visual rating        indicating the resistance to Maize Dwarf Mosaic Complex. A        higher score indicates a higher resistance.    -   MST=HARVEST MOISTURE. The moisture is the actual percentage        moisture of the grain at harvest.    -   MSTADV=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE. The moisture advantage of variety #1        over variety #2 as calculated by: MOISTURE of variety        #2−MOISTURE of variety #1=MOISTURE ADVANTAGE of variety #1.    -   NLFBLT=Northern Leaf Blight (Helminthosporium turcicum or        Exserohilum turcicum). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the        resistance to Northern Leaf Blight. A higher score indicates a        higher resistance.    -   OILT=GRAIN OIL. Absolute value of oil content of the kernel as        predicted by Near-Infrared Transmittance and expressed as a        percent of dry matter.    -   PEDIGREE DISTANCE=Relationship among generations based on their        ancestral links as evidenced in pedigrees. May be measured by        the distance of the pedigree from a given starting point in the        ancestry.    -   PLTHT=PLANT HEIGHT. This is a measure of the height of the plant        from the ground to the tip of the tassel in centimeters.    -   POLSC=POLLEN SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the amount        of pollen shed. The higher the score the more pollen shed.    -   POLWT=POLLEN WEIGHT. This is calculated by dry weight of tassels        collected as shedding commences minus dry weight from similar        tassels harvested after shedding is complete.    -   POP K/A=PLANT POPULATIONS. Measured as 1000s per acre.    -   POP ADV=PLANT POPULATION ADVANTAGE. The plant population        advantage of variety #1 over variety #2 as calculated by PLANT        POPULATION of variety #2−PLANT POPULATION of variety #1=PLANT        POPULATION ADVANTAGE of variety #1.    -   PRM=PREDICTED RELATIVE MATURITY. This trait, predicted relative        maturity, is based on the harvest moisture of the grain. The        relative maturity rating is based on a known set of checks and        utilizes standard linear regression analyses and also is        referred to as the Comparative Relative Maturity Rating System        that is similar to the Minnesota Relative Maturity Rating        System.    -   PRMSHD=A relative measure of the growing degree units (GDU)        required to reach 50% pollen shed. Relative values are predicted        values from the linear regression of observed GDU's on relative        maturity of commercial checks.    -   PROT=GRAIN PROTEIN. Absolute value of protein content of the        kernel as predicted by Near-Infrared Transmittance and expressed        as a percent of dry matter.    -   RTLDG=ROOT LODGING. Root lodging is the percentage of plants        that do not root lodge; plants that lean from the vertical axis        as an approximately 30° angle or greater would be counted as        root lodged.    -   RTLADV=ROOT LODGING ADVANTAGE. The root lodging advantage of        variety #1 over variety #2.    -   SCTGRN=SCATTER GRAIN. A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the        amount of scatter grain (lack of pollination or kernel abortion)        on the ear. The higher the score the less scatter grain.    -   SDGVGR=SEEDLING VIGOR. This is the visual rating (1 to 9) of the        amount of vegetative growth after emergence at the seedling        stage (approximately five leaves). A higher score indicates        better vigor.    -   SEL IND=SELECTION INDEX. The selection index gives a single        measure of the hybrid's worth based on information for up to        five traits. A maize breeder may utilize his or her own set of        traits for the selection index. One of the traits that is almost        always included is yield. The selection index data presented in        the tables represent the mean value averaged across testing        stations.    -   SIL DMP=SILAGE DRY MATTER. The percent of dry material in        chopped whole plant silage.    -   SLFBLT=SOUTHERN LEAF BLIGHT (Helminthosporium maydis or        Bipolaris maydis). A 1 to 9 visual rating indicating the        resistance to Southern Leaf Blight. A higher score indicates a        higher resistance.    -   SOURST=SOUTHERN RUST (Puccinia polysora). A 1 to 9 visual rating        indicating the resistance to Southern Rust. A higher score        indicates a higher resistance.    -   STAGRN=STAY GREEN. Stay green is the measure of plant health        near the time of black layer formation (physiological maturity).        A high score indicates better late-season plant health.    -   STARCH=PERCENT OF STARCH. The percent of dry matter that is        starch in chopped whole plant forage.    -   STDADV=STALK STANDING ADVANTAGE. The advantage of variety #1        over variety #2 for the trait STK CNT.    -   STKCNT=NUMBER OF PLANTS. This is the final stand or number of        plants per plot.    -   STKLDG=STALK LODGING REGULAR. This is the percentage of plants        that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage at regular harvest        (when grain moisture is between about 20 and 30%)) as measured        by either natural lodging or pushing the stalks and determining        the percentage of plants that break below the ear.    -   STKLDL=LATE STALK LODGING. This is the percentage of plants that        did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage) at or around late season        harvest (when grain moisture is between about 15 and 18%) as        measured by either natural lodging or pushing the stalks and        determining the percentage of plants that break below the ear.    -   STKLDS=STALK LODGING SCORE. A plant is considered as stalk        lodged if the stalk is broken or crimped between the ear and the        ground. This can be caused by any or a combination of the        following: strong winds late in the season, disease pressure        within the stalks, ECB damage or genetically weak stalks. This        trait should be taken just prior to or at harvest. Expressed on        a 1 to 9 scale with 9 being no lodging.    -   STLPCN=STALK LODGING REGULAR. This is an estimate of the        percentage of plants that did not stalk lodge (stalk breakage at        regular harvest (when grain moisture is between about 20 and        30%)) as measured by either natural lodging or pushing the        stalks and determining the percentage of plants that break below        the ear.    -   STRT=GRAIN STARCH. Absolute value of starch content of the        kernel as predicted by Near-Infrared Transmittance and expressed        as a percent of dry matter.    -   STWWLT=Stewart's Wilt (Erwinia stewartii). A 1 to 9 visual        rating indicating the resistance to Stewart's Wilt. A higher        score indicates a higher resistance.    -   TASBLS=TASSEL BLAST. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to measure        the degree of blasting (necrosis due to heat stress) of the        tassel at the time of flowering. A 1 would indicate a very high        level of blasting at time of flowering, while a 9 would have no        tassel blasting.    -   TASSZ=TASSEL SIZE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate        the relative size of the tassel. The higher the rating the        larger the tassel.    -   TASWT=TASSEL WEIGHT. This is the average weight of a tassel        (grams) just prior to pollen shed.    -   TDM/HA=TOTAL DRY MATTER PER HECTARE. Yield of total dry plant        material in metric tons per hectare.    -   TEXEAR=EAR TEXTURE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to indicate        the relative hardness (smoothness of crown) of mature grain. A 1        would be very soft (extreme dent) while a 9 would be very hard        (flinty or very smooth crown).    -   TILLER=TILLERS. A count of the number of tillers per plot that        could possibly shed pollen was taken. Data are given as a        percentage of tillers: number of tillers per plot divided by        number of plants per plot.    -   TST WT=TEST WEIGHT (UNADJUSTED). The measure of the weight of        the grain in pounds for a given volume (bushel).    -   TSWADV=TEST WEIGHT ADVANTAGE. The test weight advantage of        variety #1 over variety #2.    -   WIN M %=PERCENT MOISTURE WINS.    -   WIN Y %=PERCENT YIELD WINS.    -   YIELD=YIELD OF SILAGE. Yield in tons per acre at 30% dry matter.    -   YIELD BU/A=YIELD (BUSHELS/ACRE). Yield of the grain at harvest        in bushels per acre adjusted to 15% moisture.    -   YLDADV=YIELD ADVANTAGE. The yield advantage of variety #1 over        variety #2 as calculated by: YIELD of variety #1−YIELD variety        #2=yield advantage of variety #1.    -   YLD SC=YIELD SCORE. A 1 to 9 visual rating was used to give a        relative rating for yield based on plot ear piles. The higher        the rating the greater visual yield appearance.        Definitions for Area of Adaptability

When referring to area of adaptability, such term is used to describethe location with the environmental conditions that would be well suitedfor this maize line. Area of adaptability is based on a number offactors, for example: days to maturity, insect resistance, diseaseresistance, and drought resistance. Area of adaptability does notindicate that the maize line will grow in every location within the areaof adaptability or that it will not grow outside the area.

-   Central Corn Belt: Iowa, Illinois, Indiana-   Drylands: non-irrigated areas of North Dakota, South Dakota,    Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma-   Eastern U.S.: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and    West Virginia-   North central U.S.: Minnesota and Wisconsin-   Northeast: Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Ontario and Quebec    Canada-   Northwest U.S.: North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Washington,    Oregon, Montana, Utah, and Idaho-   South central U.S.: Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas-   Southeast U.S.: North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,    Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana-   Southwest U.S.: Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona-   Western U.S.: Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, and California-   Maritime Europe: France, Germany, Belgium, and Austria

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Inbred maize lines are typically developed for use in the production ofhybrid maize lines. Maize hybrids need to be highly homogeneous,heterozygous and reproducible to be useful as commercial hybrids. Thereare many analytical methods available to determine the heterozygousnature and the identity of these lines.

The oldest and most traditional method of analysis is the observation ofphenotypic traits. The data is usually collected in field experimentsover the life of the maize plants to be examined. Phenotypiccharacteristics most often observed are for traits associated with plantmorphology, ear and kernel morphology, insect and disease resistance,maturity, and yield.

In addition to phenotypic observations, the genotype of a plant can alsobe examined. A plant's genotype can be used to identify plants of thesame variety or a related variety. For example, the genotype can be usedto determine the pedigree of a plant. There are many laboratory-basedtechniques available for the analysis, comparison and characterizationof plant genotype; among these are Isozyme Electrophoresis, RestrictionFragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly Amplified PolymorphicDNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), DNAAmplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence Characterized AmplifiedRegions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs), SimpleSequence Repeats (SSRs) which are also referred to as Microsatellites,and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).

Isozyme Electrophoresis and RFLPs as discussed in Lee, M., “Inbred Linesof Maize and Their Molecular Markers,” The Maize Handbook,(Springer-Verlag, New York, Inc. 1994, at 423-432) incorporated hereinby reference, have been widely used to determine genetic composition.Isozyme Electrophoresis has a relatively low number of available markersand a low number of allelic variants. RFLPs allow more discriminationbecause they have a higher degree of allelic variation in maize and alarger number of markers can be found. Both of these methods have beeneclipsed by SSRs as discussed in Smith et al., “An evaluation of theutility of SSR loci as molecular markers in maize (Zea mays L.):comparisons with data from RFLPs and pedigree”, Theoretical and AppliedGenetics (1997) vol. 95 at 163-173 and by Pejic et al., “Comparativeanalysis of genetic similarity among maize inbreds detected by RFLPs,RAPDs, SSRs, and AFLPs,” Theoretical and Applied Genetics (1998) at1248-1255 incorporated herein by reference. SSR technology is moreefficient and practical to use than RFLPs; more marker loci can beroutinely used and more alleles per marker locus can be found using SSRsin comparison to RFLPs. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms may also be usedto identify the unique genetic composition of the invention and progenylines retaining that unique genetic composition. Various molecularmarker techniques may be used in combination to enhance overallresolution.

Maize DNA molecular marker linkage maps have been rapidly constructedand widely implemented in genetic studies. One such study is describedin Boppenmaier, et al., “Comparisons among strains of inbreds forRFLPs”, Maize Genetics Cooperative Newsletter, 65:1991, pg. 90, isincorporated herein by reference.

Pioneer Brand Hybrid 39H84 is characterized by above average resistanceto stalk lodging and brittle snap with excellent yield potential. Hybrid39H84 demonstrates good dry down and above average drought tolerance.The hybrid exhibits above average tolerance to both Anthracnose stalkrot and head smut. Hybrid 39H84 is particularly suited to the NorthwestDrylands and Northcentral regions of the United States and to Quebec andOntario Canada.

Pioneer Brand Hybrid 39H84 is a single cross, yellow endosperm, dentlike maize hybrid. Hybrid 39H84 has a relative maturity of approximately81 based on the Comparative Relative Maturity Rating System for harvestmoisture of grain.

This hybrid has the following characteristics based on the datacollected primarily at Johnston, Iowa.

TABLE 1 VARIETY DESCRIPTION INFORMATION VARIETY = 39H84 1. TYPE:(describe intermediate types in Comments section): 2 1 = Sweet 2 = Dent3 = Flint 4 = Flour 5 = Pop 6 = Ornamental (Dent-Like) 2. MATURITY: DAYSHEAT UNITS 057 1,055.7 From emergence to 50% of plants in silk 0571,043.3 From emergence to 50% of plants in pollen 002 0,048.7 From 10%to 90% pollen shed From 50% silk to harvest at 25% moisture StandardSample 3. PLANT: Deviation Size 0,241.3 cm Plant Height (to tassel tip)9.29 15 0,102.3 cm Ear Height (to base of top ear node) 13.32 15 0,016.1cm Length of Top Ear Internode 0.42 15 0.0 Average Number of Tillers perplant 0.02 3 1.0 Average Number of Ears per Stalk 0.10 3 2.0 Anthocyaninof Brace Roots: 1 = Absent 2 = Faint 3 = Moderate 4 = Dark 5 = Very DarkStandard Sample 4. LEAF: Deviation Size 008.8 cm Width of Ear Node Leaf0.20 15 081.5 cm Length of Ear Node Leaf 2.52 15 05.5 Number of leavesabove top ear 0.42 15 024.9 Degrees Leaf Angle (measure from 2nd leaf3.11 15 above ear at anthesis to stalk above leaf) 15 03 Leaf Color DarkGreen (Munsell code) 5GY34 2.0 Leaf Sheath Pubescence (Rate on scalefrom 1 = none to 9 = like peach fuzz) Marginal Waves (Rate on scale from1 = none to 9 = many) Longitudinal Creases (Rate on scale from 1 = noneto 9 = many) Standard Sample 5. TASSEL: Deviation Size 04.4 Number ofPrimary Lateral Branches 1.31 15 035. Branch Angle from Central Spike0.99 15 62.5 cm Tassel Length (from top leaf collar to tassel tip) 3.0615 4.3 Pollen Shed (rate on scale from 0 = male sterile to 9 = heavyshed) 14 Anther Color Red (Munsell code) 2.5R46 01 Glume Color LightGreen (Munsell code) 5GY58 1.0 Bar Glumes (Glume Bands): 1 = Absent 2 =Present 22 cm Peduncle Length (cm. from top leaf to basal branches) 6a.EAR (Unhusked Data): 1 Silk Color (3 days after emergence) Light Green(Munsell code) 2.5GY66 1 Fresh Husk Color (25 days after 50% silking)Light Green (Munsell code) 5GY76 21 Dry Husk Color (65 days after 50%silking) Buff (Munsell code) 2.5Y84 2 Position of Ear at Dry Husk Stage:1 = Upright 2 = Horizontal 3 = Pendant Horizontal 2 Husk Tightness (Rateof Scale from 1 = very loose to 9 = very tight) 2 Husk Extension (atharvest): 1 = Short (ears exposed) 2 = Medium (<8 cm) Medium 3 = Long(8-10 cm beyond ear tip) 4 = Very Long (>10 cm) Standard Sample 6b. EAR(Husked Ear Data): Deviation Size 17 cm Ear Length 1.15 15 41 mm EarDiameter at mid-point 1.53 15 143 gm Ear Weight 22.8 15 15 Number ofKernel Rows 1.15 15 2 Kernel Rows: 1 = Indistinct 2 = Distinct Distinct2 Row Alignment: 1 = Straight 2 = Slightly Curved 3 = Spiral SlightlyCurved 11 cm Shank Length 4.16 15 2 Ear Taper: 1 = Slight 2 = Average 3= Extreme Average Standard Sample 7. KERNEL (Dried): Deviation Size 11mm Kernel Length 0.00 15 7 mm Kernel Width 0.58 15 5 mm Kernel Thickness0.58 15 31 % Round Kernels (Shape Grade) 9.29 3 1 Aleurone ColorPattern: 1 = Homozygous 2 = Segregating Homozygous 7 Aluerone ColorYellow (Munsell code) 1.25Y714 10 Hard Endosperm Color Pink-Orange(Munsell code) 10YR612 3 Endosperm Type: Normal Starch 1 = Sweet (Su1) 2= Extra Sweet (sh2) 3 = Normal Starch 4 = High Amylose Starch 5 = WaxyStarch 6 = High Protein 7 = High Lysine 8 = Super Sweet (se) 9 = HighOil 10 = Other      26 gm Weight per 100 Kernels (unsized sample) 2.65 3Standard Sample 8. COB: Deviation Size 22 mm Cob Diameter at mid-point1.53 15 14 Cob Color Red (Munsell code) 2.5YR48 9. DISEASE RESISTANCE(Rate from 1 (most susceptible) to 9 (most resistant); leave blank ifnot tested; leave Race or Strain Options blank if polygenic): A. LeafBlights, Wilts, and Local Infection Diseases Anthracnose Leaf Blight(Colletotrichum graminicola) 6 Common Rust (Puccinia sorghi) Common Smut(Ustilago maydis) 4 Eyespot (Kabatiella zeae) Goss's Wilt (Clavibactermichiganense spp. nebraskense) Gray Leaf Spot (Cercospora zeae-maydis)Helminthosporium Leaf Spot (Bipolaris zeicola)  Race     6 Northern LeafBlight (Exserohilum turcicum)  Race     Southern Leaf Blight (Bipolarismaydis) Race     Southern Rust (Puccinia polysora) Stewart's Wilt(Erwinia stewartii) Other (Specify)      B. Systemic Diseases CornLethal Necrosis (MCMV and MDMV) Head Smut (Sphacelotheca reiliana) MaizeChlorotic Dwarf Virus (MDV) Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) MaizeDwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV) Sorghum Downy Mildew of Corn(Peronosclerospora sorghi) Other (Specify)      C. Stalk Rots 6Anthracnose Stalk Rot (Colletotrichum graminicola) Diplodia Stalk Rot(Stenocarpella maydis) Fusarium Stalk Rot (Fusarium moniliforme)Gibberella Stalk Rot (Gibberella zeae) Other (Specify)      D. Ear andKernel Rots Aspergillus Ear and Kernel Rot (Aspergillus flavus) DiplodiaEar Rot (Stenocarpella maydis) Fusarium Ear and Kernel Rot (Fusariummoniliforme) 6 Gibberella Ear Rot (Gibberella zeae) Other (Specify)     Application Variety Data 10. INSECT RESISTANCE (Rate from 1 (mostsusceptible) to 9 (most resistant); (leave blank if not tested): Banksgrass Mite (Oligonychus pratensis) Corn Worm (Helicoverpa zea) LeafFeeding Silk Feeding mg larval wt. Ear Damage Corn Leaf Aphid(Rhopalosiphum maidis) Corn Sap Beetle (Carpophilus dimidiatus EuropeanCorn Borer (Ostrinia nubilalis) 3 1st Generation (Typically Whorl LeafFeeding) 5 2nd Generation (Typically Leaf Sheath-Collar Feeding) StalkTunneling cm tunneled/plant Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera fruqiperda) LeafFeeding Silk Feeding mg larval wt. Maize Weevil (Sitophilus zeamaize)Northern Rootworm (Diabrotica barberi) Southern Rootworm (Diabroticaundecimpunctata) Southwestern Corn Borer (Diatreaea grandiosella) LeafFeeding Stalk Tunneling cm tunneled/plant Two-spotted Spider Mite(Tetranychus urticae) Western Rootworm (Diabrotica virgifrea virgifera)Other (Specify)      11. AGRONOMIC TRAITS: 5 Staygreen (65 days afteranthesis. Rate on a scale from 1 = worst to 9 = excellent) % DroppedEars (at 65 days after anthesis) % Pre-anthesis Brittle Snapping %Pre-anthesis Root Lodging 17.5 Post-anthesis Root Lodging (at 65 daysafter anthesis) 8,912 Kg/ha Yield (at 12-13% grain moisture) ApplicationVariety Data

Research Comparisons for Pioneer Hybrid 39H84

Comparisons of characteristics for Pioneer Brand Hybrid 39H84 were madeagainst Pioneer Brand Hybrids 39A26, 39D81, and 3941.

Table 2A compares hybrid 39H84 with 39A26, a closely related hybrid withsimilar maturity. The table indicates that hybrid 39H84 is significantlyhigher yielding (BU/A ABS and BU/A % MN) than hybrid 39A26. The hybridsare also significantly different with respect to harvest moisture, plantheight, test weight and husk cover.

Table 2B compares hybrid 39H84 with hybrid 39 D81, a closely relatedhybrid with similar maturity. The table indicates that the hybrids aresimilar in yield, but hybrid 39H84 demonstrates significantly lowerharvest moisture and a significantly higher test weight than hybrid39D81. Hybrid 39H84 also is earlier to mature with a significantly lowernumber of growing degree units to pollen shed and to silk than hybrid39D81. Hybrid 39H84 also demonstrates a significantly better resistanceto artificial brittle snap (ABTSTK % NOT % MN) and significantlysuperior resistance to stalk lodging (STKLDG % NOT % MN) than hybrid39D81.

Table 2C compares hybrid 39H84 with hybrid 3941, closely related hybridwith similar maturity. The table indicates that hybrid 39H84 issignificantly higher yielding (BU/A ABS and BU/A % MN) withsignificantly lower harvest moisture than hybrid 3941. Hybrid 39H84 alsoexhibits a significantly higher number of growing degree units to pollenshed than hybrid 3941. Hybrid 39H84 further provides a significantlylarger husk cover and significantly better resistance to stalk lodging(STLPCN % NOT ABS) than 3941.

TABLE 2A HYBRID COMPARISON Variety #1: 39H84 Variety #2: 39A26 YIELDYIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNT GDUSHD GDUSLK STKCNT BU/A 56# BU/A 56# PCT SCORECOUNT GDU GDU COUNT Stat ABS % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN Mean1140.0 105.1 96.4 95.0 102.3 98.9 97.7 100.1 Mean2 134.8 101.3 94.6 93.5101.3 99.2 97.8 100.3 Locs 61 61 61 23 19 39 21 112 Reps 61 61 61 23 1939 21 112 Diff 5.2 3.8 −1.8 1.4 1.0 −0.3 −0.1 −0.1 Prob 0.004 0.0060.028 0.619 0.619 0.231 0.898 0.826 PLTHT EARHT STAGRN ERTLSC LRTLSCSTKLDS STKLDG STKLDL IN IN SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT Stat % MN% MN % MN ABS ABS ABS % MN % MN Mean1 103.1 105.2 100.3 7.0 7.7 8.6101.6 106.8 Mean2 99.4 102.7 94.8 4.0 8.2 8.5 95.6 100.1 Locs 27 27 25 13 6 12 12 Reps 27 27 25 1 3 6 12 12 Diff 3.8 2.4 5.5 3.0 −0.5 0.1 6.06.7 Prob 0.000 0.114 0.415 0.423 0.771 0.112 0.610 EBTSTK ABTSTK TSTWTNLFBLT ANTROT GIBERS EYESPT COMRST % NOT % NOT LB/BU SCORE SCORE SCORESCORE SCORE Stat % MN % MN ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 100.5 115.254.1 5.3 6.2 5.5 4.3 6.3 Mean2 100.5 116.2 55.0 5.3 6.7 5.5 5.3 6.5 Locs1 6 44 2 3 2 2 5 Reps 1 6 44 2 3 2 2 5 Diff 0.0 −1.0 −0.9 0.0 −0.5 0.0−1.0 −0.2 Prob 0.937 0.000 1.000 0.580 1.000 0.500 0.178 HD ECB1LFECB2SC HSKCVR BRTSTK SMT LRTLPN STLPCN SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT %NOT % NOT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 3.2 5.2 6.0 99.8 95.582.5 95.9 Mean2 3.2 5.2 7.0 100.0 94.9 75.0 94.8 Locs 3 7 13 4 4 2 7Reps 3 7 13 4 4 2 7 Diff 0.1 0.0 −1.0 −0.2 0.6 7.5 1.1 Prob 0.885 0.9700.015 0.391 0.699 0.656 0.675

TABLE 2B HYBRID COMPARISON Variety #1: 39H84 Variety #2: 39D81 YIELDYIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNT GDUSHD GDUSLK STKCNT BU/A 56# BU/A 56# PCT SCORECOUNT GDU GDU COUNT Stat ABS % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN Mean1141.1 105.0 96.9 95.0 102.3 98.9 97.7 100.1 Mean2 142.0 105.5 103.0 96.699.9 100.9 101.3 99.8 Locs 59 59 59 23 19 39 21 109 Reps 59 59 59 23 1939 21 109 Diff −1.0 −0.5 6.0 −1.6 2.3 −2.0 −3.5 0.3 Prob 0.631 0.7380.000 0.496 0.279 0.000 0.000 0.704 PLTHT EARHT STAGRN ERTLSC LRTLSCSTKLDS STKLDG STKLDL IN IN SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT Stat % MN% MN % MN ABS ABS ABS % MN % MN Mean1 103.1 105.2 100.3 7.0 7.7 8.6101.6 106.8 Mean2 98.7 99.7 111.2 8.0 9.0 8.7 92.7 93.1 Locs 27 27 25 13 6 12 12 Reps 27 27 25 1 3 6 12 12 Diff 4.5 5.4 −10.9 −1.0 −1.3 −0.18.9 13.6 Prob 0.000 0.001 0.068 0.184 0.695 0.036 0.223 EBTSTK ABTSTKTSTWT NLFBLT ANTROT GIBERS EYESPT COMRST % NOT % NOT LB/BU SCORE SCORESCORE SCORE SCORE Stat % MN % MN ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 100.5115.2 54.1 5.3 6.2 5.5 4.3 6.3 Mean2 100.5 73.9 52.7 6.3 6.5 4.8 6.3 6.3Locs 1 6 43 2 3 2 2 5 Reps 1 6 43 2 3 2 2 5 Diff 0.0 41.3 1.5 −1.0 −0.30.8 −2.0 −0.0 Prob 0.009 0.000 1.000 0.529 0.500 0.295 0.815 HD ECB1LFECB2SC HSKCVR BRTSTK SMT LRTLPN STLPCN SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT %NOT % NOT Stat ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 3.2 5.2 6.0 99.8 95.582.5 95.9 Mean2 3.2 3.9 6.2 100.0 94.9 95.0 92.5 Locs 3 7 13 4 4 2 7Reps 3 7 13 4 4 2 7 Diff 0.0 1.3 −0.2 −0.2 0.6 −12.5 3.3 Prob 1.0000.142 0.705 0.391 0.530 0.500 0.123

TABLE 2C HYBRID COMPARISON Variety #1: 39H84 Variety #2: 3941 YIELDYIELD MST EGRWTH ESTCNT GDUSHD GDUSLK STKCNT BU/A 56# BU/A 56# PCT SCORECOUNT GDU GDU COUNT Stat ABS % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN % MN Mean1139.5 105.2 96.6 94.2 102.3 100.0 99.7 100.1 Mean2 132.4 99.3 99.4 99.8105.3 96.5 98.4 101.7 Locs 59 59 59 20 19 36 18 108 Reps 59 59 59 20 1936 18 108 Diff 7.1 5.8 2.8 −5.5 −3.0 3.5 1.4 −1.6 Prob 0.000 0.000 0.0020.164 0.077 0.000 0.103 0.011 PLTHT EARHT STAGRN ERTLSC LRTLSC STKLDSSTKLDG STKLDL IN IN SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT Stat % MN % MN %MN ABS ABS ABS % MN % MN Mean1 103.1 105.2 100.4 7.0 7.7 8.7 101.6 106.8Mean2 100.3 94.9 92.8 8.0 8.0 8.7 98.7 121.7 Locs 27 27 24 1 3 5 12 12Reps 27 27 24 1 3 5 12 12 Diff 2.9 10.2 7.6 −1.0 −0.3 0.0 2.9 −14.9 Prob0.006 0.000 0.108 0.423 1.000 0.143 0.226 EBTSTK ABTSTK TSTWT NLFBLTANTROT GIBERS EYESPT COMRST % NOT % NOT LB/BU SCORE SCORE SCORE SCORESCORE Stat % MN % MN ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 100.5 115.2 53.9 5.36.2 5.5 4.3 6.3 Mean2 100.5 126.3 54.5 3.3 7.3 4.5 7.3 7.0 Locs 1 6 42 23 2 2 5 Reps 1 6 42 2 3 2 2 5 Diff 0.0 −11.1 −0.6 2.0 −1.2 1.0 −3.0 −0.7Prob 0.212 0.012 1.000 0.118 0.626 0.205 0.135 HD ECB1LF ECB2SC HSKCVRBRTSTK SMT LRTLPN STLPCN SCORE SCORE SCORE % NOT % NOT % NOT % NOT StatABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS ABS Mean1 3.2 5.2 6.0 99.8 95.5 82.5 95.9 Mean23.6 4.7 4.7 99.5 92.7 80.0 90.9 Locs 3 7 13 4 4 2 7 Reps 3 7 13 4 4 2 7Diff −0.3 0.5 1.3 0.2 2.9 2.5 5.0 Prob 0.184 0.422 0.031 0.391 0.5650.910 0.014Further Embodiments of the Invention

This invention also is directed to methods for producing a maize plantby crossing a first parent maize plant with a second parent maize plantwherein either the first or second parent maize plant is Pioneer Brandhybrid 39H84. In one embodiment the parent hybrid maize plant 39H84 willbe crossed with another maize plant, sibbed, or selfed, to generate aninbred which may be used in the development of additional plants. Inanother embodiment, double haploid methods may be used to generate aninbred plant. Further, this invention is directed to methods forproducing a hybrid 39H84-progeny maize plant by crossing hybrid maizeplant 39H84 with itself or a second maize plant and growing the progenyseed, and repeating the crossing and growing steps with the hybrid maize39H84-progeny plant from 1 to 2 times, 1 to 3 times, 1 to 4 times, or 1to 5 times. Thus, any such methods using the hybrid maize plant 39H84are part of this invention: selfing, sibbing, backcrosses, hybridproduction, crosses to populations, and the like.

All plants produced using hybrid maize plant 39H84 as a parent arewithin the scope of this invention, including plants derived from hybridmaize plant 39H84. This includes varieties essentially derived fromvariety 39H84 with the term “essentially derived variety” having themeaning ascribed to such term in 7 U.S.C. § 2104(a)(3) of the PlantVariety Protection Act, which definition is hereby incorporated byreference. This also includes progeny plant and parts thereof with atleast one ancestor that is hybrid maize plant 39H84 and morespecifically where the pedigree of this progeny includes 1, 2, 3, 4,and/or 5 or cross pollinations to a maize plant 39H84, or a plant thathas 39H84 as a progenitor. All breeders of ordinary skill in the artmaintain pedigree records of their breeding programs. These pedigreerecords contain a detailed description of the breeding process,including a listing of all parental lines used in the breeding processand information on how such line was used. Thus, a breeder would know if39H84 were used in the development of a progeny line, and would alsoknow how many cross-pollinations to a line other than 39H84 were made inthe development of any progeny line. A progeny line so developed maythen be used in crosses with other, different, maize inbreds to producefirst generation (F₁) maize hybrid seeds and plants with superiorcharacteristics.

Specific methods and products produced using hybrid maize plant in plantbreeding are encompassed within the scope of the invention listed above.One such embodiment is the method of crossing hybrid maize plant 39H84with itself to form a homozygous inbred parent line. Hybrid 39H84 wouldbe sib or self pollinated to form a population of progeny plants. Thepopulation of progeny plants produced by this method is also anembodiment of the invention. This first population of progeny plantswill have received all of its alleles from hybrid maize plant 39H84. Theinbreeding process results in homozygous loci being generated and isrepeated until the plant is homozygous at substantially every loci andbecomes an inbred line. Once this is accomplished the inbred line may beused in crosses with other inbred lines, including but not limited toinbred parent lines disclosed herein to generate a first generation ofF1 hybrid plants. One of ordinary skill in the art can utilize breedernotebooks, or molecular methods to identify a particular hybrid plantproduced using an inbred line derived from maize hybrid plant 39H84, inaddition to comparing traits. Any such individual inbred plant is alsoencompassed by this invention.

These embodiments also include use of these methods with transgenic orsingle gene conversions of maize hybrid plant 39H84. Another suchembodiment is a method of developing a line genetically similar tohybrid maize plant 39H84 in breeding that involves the repeatedbackcrossing of an inbred parent of, or an inbred line derived from,hybrid maize plant 39H84 to another different maize plant any number oftimes. Using backcrossing methods, or even the tissue culture andtransgenic methods described herein, the single gene conversion methodsdescribed herein, or other breeding methods known to one of ordinaryskill in the art, one can develop individual plants, plant cells, andpopulations of plants that retain at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%,55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%,88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5%genetic similarity or identity to maize hybrid plant 39H84. Thepercentage of the genetics retained in the progeny may be measured byeither pedigree analysis or through the use of genetic techniques suchas molecular markers or electrophoresis. In pedigree analysis, onaverage 50% of the starting germplasm would be passed to the progenyline after one cross to a different line, 25% after another cross to adifferent line, and so on. Molecular markers could also be used toconfirm and/or determine the pedigree of the progeny line. The inbredparent would then be crossed to a second inbred parent of or derivedfrom hybrid maize plant 39H84 to create hybrid maize plant 39H84 withadditional beneficial traits such as transgenes or single geneconversions.

One method for producing a line derived from hybrid maize plant is asfollows. One of ordinary skill in the art would obtain hybrid maizeplant 39H84 and cross it with another variety of maize, such as an eliteinbred variety. The F1 seed derived from this cross would be grown toform a population. The nuclear genome of the F1 would be made-up of 50%of hybrid maize plant 39H84 and 50% of the other elite variety. The F1seed would be grown and allowed to self, thereby forming F2 seed. Onaverage the F2 seed nuclear genome would have derived 50% of its allelesfrom the parent hybrid plant 39H84 and 50% from the other maize variety,but various individual plants from the population would have a muchgreater percentage of their alleles derived from the parent maize hybridplant (Wang J. and R. Bernardo, 2000, Crop Sci. 40:659-665 and Bernardo,R. and A. L. Kahler, 2001, Theor. Appl. Genet 102:986-992). Molecularmarkers of 39H84, or its parents identified from routine screening ofthe deposited samples herein could be used to select and retain thoselines with high similarity to 39H84. The F2 seed would be grown andselection of plants would be made based on visual observation, markersand/or measurement of traits. The traits used for selection may be any39H84 trait described in this specification, including the hybrid maizeplant 39H84 traits of above average resistance to stalk lodging, aboveaverage resistance to brittle snap, excellent yield potential, good drydown, above average drought tolerance, above average tolerance toAnthracnose stalk rot, above average tolerance to head smut, andparticularly suited to the Northwest Drylands and Northcentral regionsof the United States and to Quebec and Ontario Canada.

Such traits may also be the good general or specific combining abilityof 39H84, including its ability to produce single gene conversions, orother hybrids. The 39H84 progeny plants that exhibit one or more of thedesired 39H84 traits, such as those listed above, would be selected andeach plant would be harvested separately. This F3 seed from each plantwould be grown in individual rows and allowed to self. Then selectedrows or plants from the rows would be harvested individually. Theselections would again be based on visual observation, markers and/ormeasurements for desirable traits of the plants, such as one or more ofthe desirable 39H84 traits listed above.

The process of growing and selection would be repeated any number oftimes until a 39H84 progeny plant is obtained. The 39H84 progeny inbredplant would contain desirable traits in hybrid combination derived fromhybrid plant 39H84. The resulting progeny line would benefit from theefforts of the inventor(s), and would not have existed but for theinventor(s) work in creating 39H84. Another embodiment of the inventionis a 39H84 progeny plant that has received the desirable 39H84 traitslisted above through the use of 39H84, which traits were not exhibitedby other plants used in the breeding process.

The previous example can be modified in numerous ways, for instanceselection may or may not occur at every selfing generation, the hybridmay immediately be selfed without crossing to another plant, selectionmay occur before or after the actual self-pollination process occurs, orindividual selections may be made by harvesting individual ears, plants,rows or plots at any point during the breeding process described. Inaddition, double haploid breeding methods may be used at any step in theprocess. The population of plants produced at each and any cycle ofbreeding is also an embodiment of the invention. In each case the use of39H84 provides a substantial benefit. The linkage groups of 39H84 wouldbe retained in the progeny lines, and since current estimates of themaize genome size is about 50,000-80,000 genes (Xiaowu, Gai et al.,Nucleic Acids Research, 2000, Vol. 28, No. 1, 94-96), in addition to alarge amount of non-coding DNA that impacts gene expression, it providesa significant advantage to use 39H84 as starting material to produce aline that retains desired genetics or traits of 39H84.

Another embodiment of this invention is the method of obtaining asubstantially homozygous 39H84 progeny plant by obtaining a seed fromthe cross of 39H84 and another maize plant and applying double haploidmethods to the F1 seed or F1 plant or to any successive filialgeneration. Such methods substantially decrease the number ofgenerations required to produce an inbred with similar genetics orcharacteristics to 39H84.

A further embodiment of the invention is a single gene conversion of39H84 obtained by crossing inbred parent plants of hybrid maize plant39H84, which comprise the single gene conversion. For a dominant oradditive trait at least one of the inbred parents would include singlegene conversion in its genome. For a recessive trait, each parent wouldinclude the single gene conversion in its genome. In each case theresultant hybrid maize plant 39H84 obtained from the cross of theparents includes a single gene conversion or transgene. A single geneconversion occurs when DNA sequences are introduced through traditional(non-transformation) breeding techniques, such as backcrossing (Hallaueret al, 1988). DNA sequences, whether naturally occurring or transgenes,may be introduced using these traditional breeding techniques. The termsingle gene conversion is also referred to in the art as a single locusconversion. Reference is made to US 2002/0062506A1 for a detaileddiscussion of single locus conversions and traits that may beincorporated into 39H84 through single gene conversion.

Desired traits transferred through this process include, but are notlimited to, waxy starch, nutritional enhancements, industrialenhancements, disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicideresistance and yield enhancements. The trait of interest is transferredfrom the donor parent to the recurrent parent, in this case, an inbredparent of the maize plant disclosed herein. Single gene traits mayresult from either the transfer of a dominant allele or a recessiveallele. Selection of progeny containing the trait of interest is done bydirect selection for a trait associated with a dominant allele.Selection of progeny for a trait that is transferred via a recessiveallele, such as the waxy starch characteristic, requires growing andselfing the first backcross to determine which plants carry therecessive alleles. Recessive traits may require additional progenytesting in successive backcross generations to determine the presence ofthe gene of interest. Along with selection for the trait of interest,progeny are selected for the phenotype of the recurrent parent. Itshould be understood that occasionally additional polynucleotidesequences or genes are transferred along with the single gene conversiontrait of interest. A progeny comprising at least 98%, 99%, 99.5% and99.9% genetic identity to the recurrent parent, the maize line disclosedherein, comprising the single gene conversion trait or traits ofinterest, is considered to be a single gene conversion of hybrid 39H84.

It should be understood that the plant can, through routine manipulationby detasseling, cytoplasmic genes, nuclear genes, or other factors, beproduced in a male-sterile form. The term manipulated to be male sterilerefers to the use of any available techniques to produce a male sterileversion of maize line 39H84. The male sterility may be either partial orcomplete male sterility.

Such embodiments are also within the scope of the present claims. Thisinvention includes hybrid maize seed of 39H84 and the hybrid maize plantproduced therefrom. The foregoing was set forth by way of example and isnot intended to limit the scope of the invention.

This invention is also directed to the use of hybrid maize plant 39H84in tissue culture. As used herein, the term plant includes plantprotoplasts, plant cell tissue cultures from which maize plants can beregenerated, plant calli, plant clumps, and plant cells that are intactin plants, or parts of plants, such as embryos, pollen, ovules, flowers,kernels, ears, cobs, leaves, seeds, husks, stalks, roots, root tips,anthers, silk and the like. As used herein the phrase “growing the seed”or “grown from the seed” includes embryo rescue, isolation of cells fromseed for use in tissue culture, as well as traditional growing methods.

Duncan, Williams, Zehr, and Widholm, Planta, (1985) 165:322-332 reflectsthat 97% of the plants cultured which produced callus were capable ofplant regeneration. Subsequent experiments with both inbreds and hybridsproduced 91% regenerable callus which produced plants. In a furtherstudy in 1988, Songstad, Duncan & Widholm in Plant Cell Reports (1988),7:262-265 reports several media additions which enhance regenerabilityof callus of two inbred lines. Other published reports also indicatedthat “nontraditional” tissues are capable of producing somaticembryogenesis and plant regeneration. K. P. Rao, et al., Maize GeneticsCooperation Newsletter, 60:64-65 (1986), refers to somatic embryogenesisfrom glume callus cultures and B. V. Conger, et al., Plant Cell Reports,6:345-347 (1987) indicates somatic embryogenesis from the tissuecultures of maize leaf segments. Thus, it is clear from the literaturethat the state of the art is such that these methods of obtaining plantsare, and were, “conventional” in the sense that they are routinely usedand have a very high rate of success.

Tissue culture of maize is described in European Patent Application,publication 160,390, incorporated herein by reference. Maize tissueculture procedures are also described in Green and Rhodes, “PlantRegeneration in Tissue Culture of Maize,” Maize for Biological Research(Plant Molecular Biology Association, Charlottesville, Va. 1982, at367-372) and in Duncan, et al., “The Production of Callus Capable ofPlant Regeneration from Immature Embryos of Numerous Zea MaysGenotypes,” 165 Planta 322-332 (1985). Thus, another aspect of thisinvention is to provide cells which upon growth and differentiationproduce maize plants having the genotype and/or physiological andmorphological characteristics of hybrid maize plant 39H84.

The utility of hybrid maize plant 39H84 also extends to crosses withother species. Commonly, suitable species will be of the familyGraminaceae, and especially of the genera Zea, Tripsacum, Coix,Schierachne, Polytoca, Chionachne, and Trilobachne, of the tribeMaydeae. Potentially suitable for crosses with 39H84 may be the variousvarieties of grain sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench.

Transformation of Maize

The advent of new molecular biological techniques have allowed theisolation and characterization of genetic elements with specificfunctions, such as encoding specific protein products. Scientists in thefield of plant biology developed a strong interest in engineering thegenome of plants to contain and express foreign genetic elements, oradditional, or modified versions of native or endogenous geneticelements in order to alter the traits of a plant in a specific manner.Any DNA sequence, whether from a different species or from the samespecies, that are inserted into the genome using transformation arereferred to herein collectively as “transgenes”. Over the last fifteento twenty years several methods for producing transgenic plants havebeen developed, and the present invention, in particular embodiments,also relates to transformed versions of the claimed hybrid maize plant39HB4.

Numerous methods for plant transformation have been developed, includingbiological and physical, plant transformation protocols. See, forexample, Miki et al., “Procedures for Introducing Foreign DNA intoPlants” in Methods in Plant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick,B. R. and Thompson, J. E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages67-88 and Armstrong, “The First Decade of Maize Transformation: A Reviewand Future Perspective” (Maydica 44:101-109, 1999). In addition,expression vectors and in vitro culture methods for plant cell or tissuetransformation and regeneration of plants are available. See, forexample, Gruber et al., “Vectors for Plant Transformation” in Methods inPlant Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Glick, B. R. and Thompson, J.E. Eds. (CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, 1993) pages 89-119. See U.S. Pat.No. 6,118,055, which is herein incorporated by reference.

The most prevalent types of plant transformation involve theconstruction of an expression vector. Such a vector comprises a DNAsequence that contains a gene under the control of or operatively linkedto a regulatory element, for example a promoter. The vector may containone or more genes and one or more regulatory elements.

A genetic trait which has been engineered into a particular parent maizeplant using transformation techniques, could be moved into another lineusing traditional breeding techniques that are well known in the plantbreeding arts. These lines can then be crossed to generate a hybridmaize plant such as hybrid maize plant 39H84 which comprises atransgene. For example, a backcrossing approach could be used to move atransgene from a transformed maize plant to an elite inbred line and theresulting progeny would comprise a transgene. Also, if an inbred linewas used for the transformation then the transgenic plants could becrossed to a different inbred in order to produce a transgenic hybridmaize plant. As used herein, “crossing” can refer to a simple X by Ycross, or the process of backcrossing, depending on the context.

Various genetic elements can be introduced into the plant genome usingtransformation. These elements include but are not limited to genes;coding sequences; inducible, constitutive, and tissue specificpromoters; enhancing sequences; and signal and targeting sequences. SeeU.S. Pat. No. 6,284,953, which is herein incorporated by reference.

With transgenic plants according to the present invention, a foreignprotein can be produced in commercial quantities. Thus, techniques forthe selection and propagation of transformed plants, which are wellunderstood in the art, yield a plurality of transgenic plants which areharvested in a conventional manner, and a foreign protein then can beextracted from a tissue of interest or from total biomass. Proteinextraction from plant biomass can be accomplished by known methods whichare discussed, for example, by Heney and Orr, Anal. Biochem. 114: 92-6(1981).

According to a preferred embodiment, the transgenic plant provided forcommercial production of foreign protein is maize. In another preferredembodiment, the biomass of interest is seed. A genetic map can begenerated, primarily via conventional Restriction Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (RFLP), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis, SimpleSequence Repeats (SSR) and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) whichidentifies the approximate chromosomal location of the integrated DNAmolecule. For exemplary methodologies in this regard, see Glick andThompson, METHODS IN PLANT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 269-284(CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1993). Map information concerning chromosomallocation is useful for proprietary protection of a subject transgenicplant. If unauthorized propagation is undertaken and crosses made withother germplasm, the map of the integration region can be compared tosimilar maps for suspect plants, to determine if the latter have acommon parentage with the subject plant. Map comparisons would involvehybridizations, RFLP, PCR, SSR and sequencing, all of which areconventional techniques.

Likewise, by means of the present invention, plants can be geneticallyengineered to express various phenotypes of agronomic interest. Throughthe transformation of maize the expression of genes can be modulated toenhance disease resistance, insect resistance, herbicide resistance,agronomic traits as well as grain quality traits. Transformation canalso be used to insert DNA sequences which control or help controlmale-sterility. DNA sequences native to maize as well as non-native DNAsequences can be transformed into maize and used to modulate levels ofnative or non-native proteins. Anti-sense technology, various promoters,targeting sequences, enhancing sequences, and other DNA sequences can beinserted into the maize genome for the purpose of modulating theexpression of proteins. Exemplary transgenes implicated in this regardinclude, but are not limited to, those categorized below.

1. Transgenes That Confer Resistance To Pests or Disease And ThatEncode:

-   -   (A) Plant disease resistance genes. Plant defenses are often        activated by specific interaction between the product of a        disease resistance gene (R) in the plant and the product of a        corresponding avirulence (Avr) gene in the pathogen. A plant        variety can be transformed with cloned resistance gene to        engineer plants that are resistant to specific pathogen strains.        See, for example Jones et al., Science 266: 789 (1994) (cloning        of the tomato Cf-9 gene for resistance to Cladosporium fulvum);        Martin et al., Science 262: 1432 (1993) (tomato Pto gene for        resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato encodes a protein        kinase); Mindrinos et al., Cell 78: 1089 (1994) (Arabidopsis        RSP2 gene for resistance to Pseudomonas syringae).    -   (B) A Bacillus thuringiensis protein, a derivative thereof or a        synthetic polypeptide modeled thereon. See, for example, Geiser        et al., Gene 48: 109 (1986), who disclose the cloning and        nucleotide sequence of a Bt δ-endotoxin gene. Moreover, DNA        molecules encoding δ-endotoxin genes can be purchased from        American Type Culture Collection (Rockville, Md.), for example,        under ATCC Accession Nos. 40098, 67136, 31995 and 31998. Other        examples of Bacillus thuringiensis transgenes being genetically        engineered are given in the following patents and hereby are        incorporated by reference: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,188,960; 5,689,052;        5,880,275; and WO 97/40162.    -   (C) A lectin. See, for example, the disclosure by Van Damme et        al., Plant Molec. Biol. 24: 25 (1994), who disclose the        nucleotide sequences of several Clivia miniata mannose-binding        lectin genes.    -   (D) A vitamin-binding protein such as avidin. See PCT        application US93/06487 the contents of which are hereby        incorporated by reference. The application teaches the use of        avidin and avidin homologues as larvicides against insect pests.    -   (E) An enzyme inhibitor, for example, a protease inhibitor or an        amylase inhibitor. See, for example, Abe et al., J. Biol. Chem.        262: 16793 (1987) (nucleotide sequence of rice cysteine        proteinase inhibitor), Huub et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21:        985 (1993) (nucleotide sequence of cDNA encoding tobacco        proteinase inhibitor I), and Sumitani et al., Biosci. Biotech.        Biochem. 57: 1243 (1993) (nucleotide sequence of Streptomyces        nitrosporeus α-amylase inhibitor) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,494,813.    -   (F) An insect-specific hormone or pheromone such as an        ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone, a variant thereof, a mimetic        based thereon, or an antagonist or agonist thereof. See, for        example, the disclosure by Hammock et al., Nature 344: 458        (1990), of baculovirus expression of cloned juvenile hormone        esterase, an inactivator of juvenile hormone.    -   (G) An insect-specific peptide or neuropeptide which, upon        expression, disrupts the physiology of the affected pest. For        example, see the disclosures of Regan, J. Biol. Chem. 269:        9 (1994) (expression cloning yields DNA coding for insect        diuretic hormone receptor), and Pratt et al., Biochem. Biophys.        Res. Comm. 163: 1243 (1989) (an allostatin is identified in        Diploptera puntata). See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,317 to        Tomalski et al., who disclose genes encoding insect-specific,        paralytic neurotoxins.    -   (H) An insect-specific venom produced in nature by a snake, a        wasp, etc. For example, see Pang et al., Gene 116: 165 (1992),        for disclosure of heterologous expression in plants of a gene        coding for a scorpion insectotoxic peptide.    -   (I) An enzyme responsible for an hyperaccumulation of a        monterpene, a sesquiterpene, a steroid, hydroxamic acid, a        phenylpropanoid derivative or another non-protein molecule with        insecticidal activity.    -   (J) An enzyme involved in the modification, including the        post-translational modification, of a biologically active        molecule; for example, a glycolytic enzyme, a proteolytic        enzyme, a lipolytic enzyme, a nuclease, a cyclase, a        transaminase, an esterase, a hydrolase, a phosphatase, a kinase,        a phosphorylase, a polymerase, an elastase, a chitinase and a        glucanase, whether natural or synthetic. See PCT application WO        93/02197 in the name of Scott et al., which discloses the        nucleotide sequence of a callase gene. DNA molecules which        contain chitinase-encoding sequences can be obtained, for        example, from the ATCC under Accession Nos. 39637 and 67152. See        also Kramer et al., Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 23: 691 (1993),        who teach the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA encoding tobacco        hookworm chitinase, and Kawalleck et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 21:        673 (1993), who provide the nucleotide sequence of the parsley        ubi4-2 polyubiquitin gene.    -   (K) A molecule that stimulates signal transduction. For example,        see the disclosure by Botella et al., Plant Molec. Biol. 24: 757        (1994), of nucleotide sequences for mung bean calmodulin cDNA        clones, and Griess et al., Plant Physiol. 104: 1467 (1994), who        provide the nucleotide sequence of a maize calmodulin cDNA        clone.    -   (L) A hydrophobic moment peptide. See PCT application WO95/16776        (disclosure of peptide derivatives of Tachyplesin which inhibit        fungal plant pathogens) and PCT application WO95/18855 (teaches        synthetic antimicrobial peptides that confer disease        resistance), the respective contents of which are hereby        incorporated by reference.    -   (M) A membrane permease, a channel former or a channel blocker.        For example, see the disclosure by Jaynes et al., Plant Sci. 89:        43 (1993), of heterologous expression of a cecropin-β lytic        peptide analog to render transgenic tobacco plants resistant to        Pseudomonas solanacearum.    -   (N) A viral-invasive protein or a complex toxin derived        therefrom. For example, the accumulation of viral coat proteins        in transformed plant cells imparts resistance to viral infection        and/or disease development effected by the virus from which the        coat protein gene is derived, as well as by related viruses. See        Beachy et al., Ann. Rev. Phytopathol. 28: 451 (1990). Coat        protein-mediated resistance has been conferred upon transformed        plants against alfalfa mosaic virus, cucumber mosaic virus,        tobacco streak virus, potato virus X, potato virus Y, tobacco        etch virus, tobacco rattle virus and tobacco mosaic virus. Id.

(O) An insect-specific antibody or an immunotoxin derived therefrom.Thus, an antibody targeted to a critical metabolic function in theinsect gut would inactivate an affected enzyme, killing the insect. Cf.Taylor et al., Abstract #497, SEVENTH INT'L SYMPOSIUM ON MOLECULARPLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS (Edinburgh, Scotland, 1994) (enzymaticinactivation in transgenic tobacco via production of single-chainantibody fragments).

-   -   (P) A virus-specific antibody. See, for example, Tavladoraki et        al., Nature 366: 469 (1993), who show that transgenic plants        expressing recombinant antibody genes are protected from virus        attack.    -   (O) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a        pathogen or a parasite. Thus, fungal endo        α-1,4-D-polygalacturonases facilitate fungal colonization and        plant nutrient release by solubilizing plant cell wall        homo-α-1,4-D-galacturonase. See Lamb et al., Bio/Technology 10:        1436 (1992). The cloning and characterization of a gene which        encodes a bean endopolygalacturonase-inhibiting protein is        described by Toubart et al., Plant J. 2: 367 (1992).    -   (R) A developmental-arrestive protein produced in nature by a        plant. For example, Logemann et al., Bio/Technology 10: 305        (1992), have shown that transgenic plants expressing the barley        ribosome-inactivating gene have an increased resistance to        fungal disease.    -   (S) Genes involved in the Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR)        Response and/or the pathogenesis related genes. Briggs, S.,        Current Biology, 5(2) (1995).    -   (T) Antifungal genes (Cornelissen and Melchers, PI. Physiol.        101:709-712, (1993) and Parijs et al., Planta        183:258-264, (1991) and Bushnell et al., Can. J. of Plant Path.        20(2):137-149 (1998).        2. Transgenes That Confer Resistance To A Herbicide, For        Example:    -   (A) A herbicide that inhibits the growing point or meristem,        such as an imidazalinone or a sulfonylurea. Exemplary genes in        this category code for mutant ALS and AHAS enzyme as described,        for example, by Lee et al., EMBO J. 7: 1241 (1988), and Miki et        al., Theor. Appl Genet. 80: 449 (1990), respectively. See also,        U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,605,011; 5,013,659; 5,141,870; 5,767,361;        5,731,180; 5,304,732; 4,761,373; 5,331,107; 5,928,937; and        5,378,824; and international publication WO 96/33270, which are        incorporated herein by reference in their entireties for all        purposes.    -   (B) Glyphosate (resistance imparted by mutant        5-enolpyruvl-3-phosphikimate synthase (EPSP), and aroA genes,        respectively) and other phosphono compounds such as glufosinate        (phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (PAT) and Streptomyces        hygroscopicus phosphinothricin acetyl transferase (bar) genes),        and pyridinoxy or phenoxy proprionic acids and cycloshexones        (ACCase inhibitor-encoding genes). See, for example, U.S. Pat.        No. 4,940,835 to Shah et al., which discloses the nucleotide        sequence of a form of EPSPS which can confer glyphosate        resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,061 to Barry et al. also        describes genes encoding EPSPS enzymes. See also U.S. Pat. Nos.        6,248,876 B1; 6,040,497; 5,804,425; 5,633,435; 5,145,783;        4,971,908; 5,312,910; 5,188,642; 4,940,835; 5,866,775; 6,225,114        B1; 6,130,366; 5,310,667; 4,535,060; 4,769,061; 5,633,448;        5,510,471; Re. 36,449; RE 37,287 E; and 5,491,288; and        international publications WO 97/04103; WO 97/04114; WO        00/66746; WO 01/66704; WO 00/66747 and WO 00/66748, which are        incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Glyphosate        resistance is also imparted to plants that express a gene that        encodes a glyphosate oxido-reductase enzyme as described more        fully in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,776,760 and 5,463,175, which are        incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In addition        glyphosate resistance can be imparted to plants by the over        expression of genes encoding glyphosate N-acetyltransferase.        See, for example, U.S. Application Ser. Nos. 60/244,385;        60/377,175 and 60/377,719.

A DNA molecule encoding a mutant aroA gene can be obtained under ATCCAccession No. 39256, and the nucleotide sequence of the mutant gene isdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,061 to Comai. European patentApplication No. 0 333 033 to Kumada et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,975,374to Goodman et al. disclose nucleotide sequences of glutamine synthetasegenes which confer resistance to herbicides such as L-phosphinothricin.The nucleotide sequence of a phosphinothricin-acetyl-transferase gene isprovided in European Patent No. 0 242 246 and 0 242 236 to Leemans etal. De Greef et al., Bio/Technology 7: 61 (1989), describe theproduction of transgenic plants that express chimeric bar genes codingfor phosphinothricin acetyl transferase activity. See also, U.S. Pat.Nos. 5,969,213; 5,489,520; 5,550,318; 5,874,265; 5,919,675; 5,561,236;5,648,477; 5,646,024; 6,177,616 B1; and 5,879,903, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Exemplary of genesconferring resistance to phenoxy proprionic acids and cycloshexones,such as sethoxydim and haloxyfop, are the Acc1-S1, Acc1-S2 and Acc1-S3genes described by Marshall et al., Theor. Appl. Genet. 83: 435 (1992).

-   -   (C) A herbicide that inhibits photosynthesis, such as a triazine        (psbA and gs+ genes) and a benzonitrile (nitrilase gene).        Przibilla et al., Plant Cell 3: 169 (1991), describe the        transformation of Chlamydomonas with plasmids encoding mutant        psbA genes. Nucleotide sequences for nitrilase genes are        disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,648 to Stalker, and DNA        molecules containing these genes are available under ATCC        Accession Nos. 53435, 67441 and 67442. Cloning and expression of        DNA coding for a glutathione S-transferase is described by Hayes        et al., Biochem. J. 285: 173 (1992).    -   (D) Acetohydroxy acid synthase, which has been found to make        plants that express this enzyme resistant to multiple types of        herbicides, has been introduced into a variety of plants (see,        e.g., Hattori et al. (1995) Mol Gen Genet 246:419). Other genes        that confer tolerance to herbicides include: a gene encoding a        chimeric protein of rat cytochrome P4507A1 and yeast        NADPH-cytochrome P450 oxidoreductase (Shiota et al. (1994) Plant        PhysiolPlant Physiol 106:17), genes for glutathione reductase        and superoxide dismutase (Aono et al. (1995) Plant Cell Physiol        36:1687, and genes for various phosphotransferases (Datta et        al. (1992) Plant Mol Biol 20:619).    -   (E) Protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) is necessary for the        production of chlorophyll, which is necessary for all plant        survival. The protox enzyme serves as the target for a variety        of herbicidal compounds. These herbicides also inhibit growth of        all the different species of plants present, causing their total        destruction. The development of plants containing altered protox        activity which are resistant to these herbicides are described        in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,288,306 B1; 6,282,837 B1; and 5,767,373; and        international publication WO 01/12825, which are incorporated        herein by reference in their entireties of all purposes.        3. Transgenes That Confer Or Contribute To A Value-Added Trait,        Such As:    -   (A) Modified fatty acid metabolism, for example, by transforming        a plant with an antisense gene of stearoyl-ACP desaturase to        increase stearic acid content of the plant. See Knultzon et al.,        Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 2624 (1992).    -   (B) Decreased phytate content        -   (1) Introduction of a phytase-encoding gene would enhance            breakdown of phytate, adding more free phosphate to the            transformed plant. For example, see Van Hartingsveldt et            al., Gene 127: 87 (1993), for a disclosure of the nucleotide            sequence of an Aspergillus niger phytase gene.        -   (2) A gene could be introduced that reduces phytate content.            In maize, this, for example, could be accomplished, by            cloning and then re-ntroducing DNA associated with the            single allele which is responsible for maize mutants            characterized by low levels of phytic acid. See Raboy et            al., Maydica 35: 383 (1990).    -   (C) Modified carbohydrate composition effected, for example, by        transforming plants with a gene coding for an enzyme that alters        the branching pattern of starch. See Shiroza et al., J.        Bacteriol. 170: 810 (1988) (nucleotide sequence of Streptococcus        mutans fructosyltransferase gene), Steinmetz et al., Mol. Gen.        Genet. 200: 220 (1985) (nucleotide sequence of Bacillus subtilis        levansucrase gene), Pen et al., Bio/Technology 10: 292 (1992)        (production of transgenic plants that express Bacillus        licheniformis α-amylase), Elliot et al., Plant Molec. Biol 21:        515 (1993) (nucleotide sequences of tomato invertase genes),        Søgaard et al., J. Biol. Chem. 268: 22480 (1993) (site-directed        mutagenesis of barley α-amylase gene), and Fisher et al., Plant        Physiol. 102: 1045 (1993) (maize endosperm starch branching        enzyme II).    -   (D) Elevated oleic acid via FAD-2 gene modification and/or        decreased linolenic acid via FAD-3 gene modification (see U.S.        Pat. Nos. 6,063,947; 6,323,392; and WO 93/11245).        4. Genes that Control Male-Sterility    -   (A) Introduction of a deacetylase gene under the control of a        tapetum-specific promoter and with the application of the        chemical N-Ac-PPT (WO 01/29237).    -   (B) Introduction of various stamen-specific promoters (WO        92/13956, WO 92/13957).    -   (C) Introduction of the barnase and the barstar gene (Paul et        al. Plant Mol. Biol. 19:611-622, 1992).        Genetic Marker Profile through SSR

The present invention comprises a hybrid corn plant which ischaracterized by the molecular and physiological data presented hereinand in the representative sample of said hybrid and of the inbredparents of said hybrid deposited with the ATCC.

As discussed, supra, in addition to phenotypic observations, a plant canalso be described by its genotype. The genotype of a plant can bedescribed through a genetic marker profile which can identify plants ofthe same variety, a related variety or be used to determine or validatea pedigree. Genetic marker profiles can be obtained by techniques suchas Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLPs), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), Arbitrarily Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms(AFLPs), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs) which are also referred to asMicrosatellites, and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Forexample, see Berry, Don, et al., “Assessing Probability of AncestryUsing Simple Sequence Repeat Profiles: Applications to Maize Hybrids andInbreds”, Genetics, 2002, 161:813-824, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

Particular markers used for these purposes are not limited to the set ofmarkers disclosed herewithin, but are envisioned to include any type ofmarker and marker profile which provides a means of distinguishingvarieties. In addition to being used for identification of inbredparents, hybrid variety 39H84, a hybrid produced through the use of39H84 or its parents, and the identification or verification of pedigreefor progeny plants produced through the use of 39H84, the genetic markerprofile is also useful in breeding and developing single geneconversions.

Means of performing genetic marker profiles using SSR polymorphisms arewell known in the art. SSRs are genetic markers based on polymorphismsin repeated nucleotide sequences, such as microsatellites. A markersystem based on SSRs can be highly informative in linkage analysisrelative to other marker systems in that multiple alleles may bepresent. Another advantage of this type of marker is that, through useof flanking primers, detection of SSRs can be achieved, for example, bythe polymerase chain reaction (PCR), thereby eliminating the need forlabor-intensive Southern hybridization. The PCR™ detection is done byuse of two oligonucleotide primers flanking the polymorphic segment ofrepetitive DNA. Repeated cycles of heat denaturation of the DNA followedby annealing of the primers to their complementary sequences at lowtemperatures, and extension of the annealed primers with DNA polymerase,comprise the major part of the methodology.

Following amplification, markers can be scored by gel electrophoresis ofthe amplification products. Scoring of marker genotype is based on thesize of the amplified fragment as measured by molecular weight (MW)rounded to the nearest integer. While variation in the primer used or inlaboratory procedures can affect the reported molecular weight, relativevalues should remain constant regardless of the specific primer orlaboratory used. When comparing lines it is preferable if all SSRprofiles are performed in the same lab. An SSR service is available tothe public on a contractual basis by Paragen, research Trianbgle Park,North Caroline, (formerly Celera AgGen of Davis, Calif.

Primers used for the SSRs suggested herein are publicly available andmay be found in the Maize DB using the World Wide Web prefixagron.missouri.edu (sponsored by the University of Missouri), inSharopova et al. (Plant Mol. Biol. 48(5-6): 463-481), Lee et al. (PlantMol. Biol. 48(5-6): 453-461). Some marker information may be availablefrom Paragen.

Map information is provided in centimorgans (cM) and based on acomposite map developed by Pioneer Hi-Bred. This composite map wascreated by identifying common markers between various maps and usinglinear regression to place the intermediate markers. The reference mapused was UMC98. Map positions for the SSR markers reported herein willvary depending on the mapping population used. Any chromosome numbersreported in parenthesis represent other chromosome locations for suchmarker that have been reported in the literature or on the Maize DB. Mappositions are available on the Maize DB for a variety of differentmapping populations.

TABLE A SSR Markers Locus Chrom# Position PHI056 1 4.25 PHI4279 1 26.7113 BNLG10 1 29.8 14 BNLG14 1 30.68 29 BNLG16 1 34.03 27 BNLG11 1 38.0727 BNLG19 1 38.34 53 BNLG14 1 53.32 84 BNLG43 1 62.42 9 BNLG12 1 62.4203 PHI3390 1 70.05 17 BNLG22 1 77.52 38 BNLG18 1 91.64 86 BNLG20 1 94.586 BNLG10 1 142.56 57 BNLG16 1 142.74 15 BNLG15 1 150.53 56 PHI002 1168.21 PHI4232 1 174.38 98 PHI3230 1 177.39 65 PHI3355 1 178.84 39PHI011 1 190.9 BNLG13 1 193.48 31 BNLG15 1 199.42 97 BNLG17 1 199.44 20PHI3087 1 211.59 07 PHI2654 1 221.46 54 PHI2275 1 242.7 62 PHI064 1243.08 PHI1092 1 unknown 75 BNLG18 1 unknown 32 BNLG10 1 unknown 83BNLG10 1 unknown 16 PHI9610 2 6.99 0 BNLG10 2 21.79 17 BNLG22 2 55.07 77BNLG10 2 64.21 64 PHI1096 2 69.93 42 BNLG19 2 76.87 09 BNLG10 2 77.92 18BNLG13 2 120.07 96 BNLG11 2 121.18 38 PHI3281 2 145.57 89 BNLG22 2148.65 37 PHI2513 2 149.77 15 PHI127 2 152.84 PHI1010 2 207.93 49 BNLG192 270.85 40 PHI4354 2 302.56 17 BNLG15 2 375.32 20 PHI4274 2 413.55 34PHI4028 2 unknown 93 PHI090 2 unknown PHI083 2 unknown BNLG18 2 unknown31 BNLG11 2 unknown 41 PHI4531 3 0.2 21 PHI4042 3 2.2 06 PHI1041 3 5.6827 BNLG11 3 23.52 44 BNLG16 3 33.98 47 BNLG15 3 34.3 23 PHI2439 3 52.2466 PHI3741 3 53.66 18 BNLG14 3 58.58 52 BNLG11 3 58.65 13 BNLG10 3 58.6519 PHI053 3 67.9 PHI1022 3 104.98 28 BNLG19 3 108.98 51 BNLG11 3 110.260 PHI1932 3 159.24 25 PHI073 3 unknown PHI029 3 unknown BNLG22 3unknown 41 BNLG10 3 unknown 35 PHI2954 4 16.87 50 PHI2139 4 25.02 84BNLG11 4 40.01 62 PHI096 4 61.84 PHI079 4 65.46 BNLG19 4 65.49 37 BNLG124 67.31 65 BNLG17 4 91.45 55 BNLG11 4 108.12 89 BNLG22 4 122.51 44PHI093 4 126.18 PHI3147 4 159.67 04 PHI4383 4 819.88 01 PHI3080 4unknown 90 PHI076 4 unknown PHI072 4 unknown BNLG10 5 15.9 06 PHI3961 576.45 60 PHI1091 5 77.97 88 BNLG65 5 88.43 3 PHI3318 5 91.48 88 BNLG12 594.95 08 PHI3862 5 95.46 23 BNLG18 5 97.9 92 PHI3305 5 102.23 07 PHI33355 103.48 97 PHI1963 5 133.31 87 PHI085 5 136.05 BNLG11 5 149.53 18BNLG17 5 178.37 11 PHI1598 6 22.8 19 PHI4237 6 31.29 96 PHI3892 6 83.5603 PHI4526 6 98.06 93 BNLG10 6 98.1 41 BNLG11 6 99.41 74 PHI4456 6106.74 13 PHI3645 6 126.24 45 PHI2998 6 129.9 52 PHI070 6 129.9 BNLG17 6129.9 59 BNLG17 6 129.9 40 PHI034 7 54.75 BNLG22 7 95.38 71 PHI3281 7100.36 75 PHI2604 7 134.62 85 PHI069 7 137.5 PHI051 7 137.5 PHI116 7149.22 PHI4207 8 24.32 01 BNLG11 8 27.24 94 BNLG20 8 55.3 82 PHI1001 860.43 75 PHI115 8 64.03 PHI121 8 66.43 BNLG20 8 75.05 46 BNLG11 8 79.7276 BNLG11 8 111.61 52 BNLG10 8 127.89 65 BNLG10 8 193.84 56 PHI015 8210.92 PHI2333 8 219.36 76 BNLG21 9 32.11 22 BNLG10 9 84.23 12 PHI032 986.67 BNLG61 9 122.79 9 PHI4488 9 126.07 80 PHI2366 9 157.45 54 PHI10849 169.83 11 PHI033 9 unknown BNLG13 9 unknown 75 BNLG11 9 unknown 29PHI041 10 9.6 PHI059 10 40.55 PHI9634 10 52.8 2 BNLG10 10 62.12 79PHI050 10 63 PHI062 10 69.31 BNLG10 10 85.74 74 PHI3016 10 91.26 54PHI3231 10 117.1 52 BNLG14 10 126.36 50 BNLG11 10 142.38 85 BNLG15 5 (1,6) 154.8 97

A genetic marker profile of a hybrid should be the sum of its inbredparents, e.g., if one inbred parent had the allele 168 (base pairs) at aparticular locus, and the other inbred parent had 172 the hybrid is168.172 (heterozygous) by inference. Subsequent generations of progenyproduced by selection and breeding are expected to be of genotype 168(homozygous), 172 (homozygous), or 168.172 for that locus position. Whenthe F1 plant is used to produce an inbred, the locus should be either168 or 172 for that position.

In addition, plants and plant parts substantially benefiting from theuse of 39H84 in their development such as 39H84 comprising a single geneconversion, transgene, or genetic sterility factor, may be identified byhaving a molecular marker profile with a high percent identity to 39H84.Such a percent identity might be 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% identical to39H84.

The SSR profile of 39H84 also can be used to identify essentiallyderived varieties and other progeny lines developed from the use of39H84, as well as cells and other plant parts thereof. Progeny plantsand plant parts produced using 39H84 may be identified by having amolecular marker profile of at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%,60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 79%, 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%,89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99% or 99.5% geneticcontribution from hybrid maize plant 39H84.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

Maize is used as human food, livestock feed, and as raw material inindustry. The food uses of maize, in addition to human consumption ofmaize kernels, include both products of dry- and wet-milling industries.The principal products of maize dry milling are grits, meal and flour.The maize wet-milling industry can provide maize starch, maize syrups,and dextrose for food use. Maize oil is recovered from maize germ, whichis a by-product of both dry- and wet-milling industries.

Maize, including both grain and non-grain portions of the plant, is alsoused extensively as livestock feed, primarily for beef cattle, dairycattle, hogs, and poultry.

Industrial uses of maize include production of ethanol, maize starch inthe wet-milling industry and maize flour in the dry-milling industry.The industrial applications of maize starch and flour are based onfunctional properties, such as viscosity, film formation, adhesiveproperties, and ability to suspend particles. The maize starch and flourhave application in the paper and textile industries. Other industrialuses include applications in adhesives, building materials, foundrybinders, laundry starches, explosives, oil-well muds, and other miningapplications.

Plant parts other than the grain of maize are also used in industry: forexample, stalks and husks are made into paper and wallboard and cobs areused for fuel and to make charcoal.

The seed of the hybrid maize plant, the plant produced from the seed, aplant produced from crossing of maize hybrid plant 39H84 and variousparts of the hybrid maize plant and transgenic versions of theforegoing, can be utilized for human food, livestock feed, and as a rawmaterial in industry.

DEPOSITS

Applicant has made a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of hybrid maizeplant 39H84 and inbred parent plants GE500811 and GE570777 with theAmerican Type Culture Collection (ATCC), Manassas, Va. 20110 USA, ATCCDeposit Nos. PTA-5478, PTA-5528, and PTA-5509, respectively. The seedsdeposited with the ATCC on Sep. 10, 2003, Sep. 15, 2003 and Sep. 12,2003, respectively were taken from the deposit maintained by PioneerHi-Bred International, Inc., 800 Capital Square, 400 Locust Street, DesMoines, Iowa 50309-2340, since prior to the filing date of thisapplication. Access to this deposit will be available during thependency of the application to the Commissioner of Patents andTrademarks and persons determined by the Commissioner to be entitledthereto upon request. Upon allowance of any claims in the application,the Applicant(s) will make available to the public, pursuant to 37C.F.R. § 1.808, a deposit of at least 2500 seeds of hybrid maize plant39H84 and inbred parent plants GE500811 and GE570777 with the AmericanType Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Boulevard, Manassas,Va. 20110-2209. This deposit of seed of hybrid maize plant 39H84 andinbred parent plants GE500811 and GE570777 will be maintained in theATCC depository, which is a public depository, for a period of 30 years,or 5 years after the most recent request, or for the enforceable life ofthe patent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if it becomesnonviable during that period. Additionally, Applicant(s) has met all therequirements of 37 C.F.R. §§1.801-1.809, including providing anindication of the viability of the sample upon deposit. Applicant has noauthority to waive any restrictions imposed by law on the transfer ofbiological material or its transportation in commerce. Applicant doesnot waive any infringement of its rights granted under this patent orunder the Plant Variety Protection Act (7 USC 2321 et seq.).

All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in thespecification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art towhich this invention pertains. All such publications, patents and patentapplications are incorporated by reference herein to the same extent asif each was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporatedby reference herein.

The foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding.However, it will be obvious that certain changes and modifications suchas single gene conversions and mutations, somoclonal variants, variantindividuals selected from large populations of the plants of the instantinbred and the like may be practiced within the scope of the invention,as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

1. Seed of hybrid maize variety designated 39H84, representative seed ofsaid variety having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-5478. 2.A maize plant, or a part thereof, produced by growing the seed ofclaim
 1. 3. Pollen of the plant of claim
 2. 4. An ovule of the plant ofclaim
 2. 5. A tissue culture of regenerable cells produced from theplant of claim
 2. 6. Protoplasts produced from the tissue culture ofclaim
 5. 7. The tissue culture of claim 5, wherein cells of the tissueculture are from a tissue selected from the group consisting of leaf,pollen, embryo, root, root tip, anther, silk, flower, kernel, ear, cob,husk and stalk.
 8. A maize plant regenerated from the tissue culture ofclaim 5, said plant having all the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of hybrid maize plant 39H84, representative seed of saidplant having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-5478.
 9. Amethod for producing an F1 hybrid maize seed, comprising crossing theplant of claim 2 with a different maize plant and harvesting theresultant F1 hybrid maize seed.
 10. A maize plant, or a part thereof,having all the physiological and morphological characteristics of thehybrid maize plant 39H84, representative seed of said plant having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-5478.
 11. A method of introducinga desired trait into a hybrid maize variety 39H84 comprising: (a)crossing at least one of inbred maize parent plants GE500811 andGE570777, representative samples of which have been deposited under ATCCAccession Nos. as PTA-5528 and PTA-5509 respectively, with another maizeline that comprises a desired trait, to produce F1 progeny plants,wherein the desired trait is selected from the group consisting of malesterility, herbicide resistance, insect resistance, disease resistanceand waxy starch; (b) selecting said F1 progeny plants that have thedesired trait to produce selected F1 progeny plants; (c) backcrossingthe selected progeny plants with said inbred maize parent plant toproduce backcross progeny plants; (d) selecting for backcross progenyplants that have the desired trait and morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of said inbred maize parent plant; (e) repeating steps(c) and (d) three or more times in succession to produce selected fourthor higher backcross progeny plants; (f) crossing said fourth or higherbackcross progeny plant with the other inbred maize parent plant togenerate a hybrid maize variety 39H84 with the desired trait and all ofthe morphological and physiological characteristics of hybrid maizevariety 39H84 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5% significancelevel when grown in the same environmental conditions.
 12. A plantproduced by the method of claim 11, wherein the plant has the desiredtrait and all of the physiological and morphological characteristics ofhybrid maize variety 39H84 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5%significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions. 13.The plant of claim 12, wherein the desired trait is herbicide resistanceand the resistance is conferred to an herbicide selected from the groupconsisting of: imidazolinone, sulfonylurea, glyphosate, glufosinate,L-phosphinothricin, triazine and benzonitrile.
 14. The plant of claim 12wherein the desired trait is insect resistance and the insect resistanceis conferred by a transgene encoding a Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.15. The plant of claim 12, wherein the desired trait is male sterilityand the trait is conferred by a cytoplasmic nucleic acid molecule thatconfers male sterility.
 16. A method of modifying fatty acid metabolism,phytic acid metabolism or carbohydrate metabolism in a hybrid maizevariety 39H84 comprising: (a) crossing at least one of inbred maizeparent plants GE500811 and GE570777, representative samples of whichhave been deposited under ATCC Accession Nos. as PTA-5528 and PTA-5509respectively, with another maize line that comprise a nucleic acidmolecule encoding an enzyme selected from the group consisting ofphytase, stearoyl-ACP desaturase, fructosyltransferase, levansucrase,alpha-amylase, invertase and starch branching enzyme; (b) selecting saidF1 progeny plants that have said nucleic acid molecule to produceselected F1 progeny plants; (c) backcrossing the selected progeny plantswith said inbred maize parent plant to produce backcross progeny plants;(d) selecting for backcross progeny plants that have said nucleic acidmolecule and morphological and physiological characteristics of saidinbred maize parent plant; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) three or moretimes in succession to produce selected fourth or higher backcrossprogeny plants; (f) crossing said fourth or higher backcross progenyplant with the other inbred maize parent plant to generate a hybridmaize variety 39H84 that comprises said nucleic acid molecule and hasall of the morphological and physiological characteristics of hybridmaize variety 39H84 listed in Table 1 as determined at the 5%significance level when grown in the same environmental conditions. 17.A plant produced by the method of claim 16, wherein the plant comprisesthe nucleic acid molecule and has all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of hybrid maize variety 39H84 listed inTable 1 as determined at the 5% significance level when grown in thesame environmental conditions.
 18. A method for producing a maize seed,comprising crossing the plant of claim 2 with itself or a differentmaize plant and harvesting the resultant maize seed.